Western Isles Council has taken delivery of a fleet of five new Optare buses for its cross-Island scheduled routes

The council, on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, chose the fleet of Optare Solo SR vehicles to ensure the needs of disabled passengers and parents with pushchairs are fully met, thanks to the model’s low flooring and flexible seating configurations.

The buses will be used to service the council’s W7 Stornoway town route, along with the W5 Stornoway to Point District and the Stornoway to Tolsta route.

The five-strong fleet of Optare 9.95 Solo SR buses were specified with Cummins Euro 5 Engines, and Allison 2100 gearboxes. Each hold 31 belted seats with an additional 3 tip-up spaces, offering versatile space and comfort for passengers.

David Smart from Western Isles Council, said: “We have been very impressed with the quality of the Optare buses and also the time frame in which they were delivered – four weeks ahead of the promised delivery date.”

Enrico Vassallo, Optare’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to be working with Western Isles Council. It is also great that the fleet have been delivered ahead of schedule. The low flooring available on this model really does make a difference to those in wheelchairs or with buggies, and is compliant with the Bus Accessibility Regulations, making it a great choice for a scheduled route.”