Established coach operator Coachstyle has placed a seven-strong order with Optare, to support its first major bus contract.

Cotswold-based Coachstyle has ordered a fleet of seven new Optare Solo SER buses after it won new contracts to provide scheduled bus services in and around Malmesbury. Coachstyle, based in Castle Combe, Chippenham, also bought an additional used Solo bus with belts, to be used in support of this new fleet.

The order is the first new bus line-up Coachstyle has placed, and will serve scheduled local authority routes from Malmesbury to Circencester, Swindon, Yate and Chippenham, each expecting to cover around 80,000 miles per annum.

The 7.9m Slim Optare Solo buses ordered are 2.33m wide, and all feature 115kW Mercedes Euro5 engine with Allison 2100 transmission. The model has a 27- seat capacity with space for 9 standing and were delivered to Coachstyle at the end of March and went into service at the beginning of April.

Owner operators Andrew and Lynne Jones have owned the business since 1995, building the company’s reputation as trusted providers of coach hire, group travel and day tours as well as supplying coaches to various tour operators for UK and Continental extended tours. New customers to Optare, this is also the first new bus fleet the company has purchased.

Andrew Jones said: “When we decided to increase our bus fleet, we spoke to a range of other operators and their advice was to choose Optare. Purchasing new vehicles is a huge investment and we are more than happy with the support, service and option range Optare have been able to provide. The fleet were delivered earlier this month and look great – I would certainly pass the recommendation on.”

Enrico Vassallo, Optare’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce our work with Coachstyle and welcome them as a new Optare customer. It is great to hear other operators are recommending Optare, which in itself is testament to the technology, durability and cost effectiveness of our buses.”