Yesterday Optare celebrated the handover of their first Metrodecker demonstrator vehicle to UK Bus Operator of the Year, Reading Buses, for the start of a 1 month trial.  Since 2003, this innovative operator has invested millions in over 100 new fully-accessible, ultra-low emission buses for their Premier Routes and subsequent evolution of its network, and welcomes the opportunity to launch the Metrodecker into service.

Martijn Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer, Reading Buses, commented, “We are thrilled to be working with Optare to bring the Metrodecker into service at Reading Buses.  We have a have a number of double deck routes and we will be putting the new Optare double deck through its paces.  .  The orange Metrodecker certainly won’t look out of place amongst our brightly coloured fleet and we are sure that our customers will be as excited about trying out this new vehicle as we are.”

Robert Drewery, Commercial Director, Optare said, “I am delighted that the Metrodecker is entering service with such a respectedand innovative operator, we will be monitoring its performance closely and we look forward to the feedback from Reading Buses and their passengers.”

Optare has set out to impress operators with its newest addition to the product range and like the other vehicles in the Optare family the Metrodecker has a fully integral frame.  This low floor double deck boasts light weight credentials and class leading seating capacity.  Operators will also be eager to hear the Metrodecker has already demonstrated highly competitive fuel economy in recent independent fuel trials.  The Metrodecker is available in two lengths the single door measures in at 11.1metres and the two door at 10.5metres.

Reading Buses have been in operation for over 100 years and have a long history of using Optare products. 

The 10.5m TFL specification Metrodecker is set to begin customer trials in early 2016.