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Optare Spectra

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Optare Spectra
Wilts & Dorset Optare Spectra bodied DAF DB250LF in Southampton in August 2008
Overview
ManufacturerOptare
Production1991–2006
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeStep entrance/Low floor
ChassisDAF DB250/DB250LF
Powertrain
EngineDAF HS 200[1]
Capacity85 (71 seated)
Power output272 brake horsepower (203 kW)
TransmissionZF Ecomat 4HP500 four-speed automatic
ZF Ecomat 5HP500 five-speed automatic[2]
Dimensions
Length10.5–11 metres (34–36 ft)
Width2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in)
Height4.17–4.32 metres (13.7–14.2 ft)
Curb weight11,360 kilograms (25,040 lb)

The Optare Spectra was a double-decker bus body built on both the step entrance DAF DB250 and low-floor DB250LF chassis between 1991 and 2006.

Design

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Reading Buses Optare Spectra bodied DAF DB250 rear in Ryde in June 2012

The Spectra was developed as a joint United Bus project between Optare and DAF, based on the designs of the successful MCW Metrobus, the design rights of which had been jointly purchased by United Bus in 1989 following the collapse of Metro Cammell Weymann.[3]

The Spectra body was constructed on the DB250 chassis, capable of kneeling 100 millimetres (3.9 in) down to the kerbside for access to a single entrance step, on an Alusuisse aluminium frame. The design is notable for the exclusion of a lower deck rear window, replaced by a lift-up flap above the engine bay covering the Spectra's air filter and coolant expansion tank. The step-entrance Spectra in single-door format typically seated a total of 71 passengers, as well as being included with a pushchair rack, and was equipped with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system that could be monitored from the driver's cab. Additional options included soft trim, elements, tinted side windows, internal heating and air conditioning.[2]

In 1995, the low-floor DAF DB250LF chassis was launched. Two years later, Optare launched an updated low-floor version of the Spectra built on the chassis, the United Kingdom's first low-floor double-decker bus. Though sharing many features with the step-entrance model, the new Spectra featured a longer wheelbase, allowing for an extra 17 seats in single-door configuration, and the body's height was lowered to 4.17 metres (13.7 ft), making the bus suitable for services requiring lowbridge double-deck buses. As a result, larger gasket windows would come as standard.[4]

Operators

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Abus Optare Spectra R222 AJP, the United Kingdom's first low floor double-decker bus to enter service

Reading Buses took delivery the first production model of the Spectra,[2][5] going on to purchase an additional 25 more until 2001. London Buses would follow by taking delivery of 25 Spectras between 1992 and early 1993 as replacements for AEC Routemasters, with all but one delivered to the London Central subsidiary for use on London Buses route 3;[6][7] Metroline would take delivery of a single Spectra from this order built to dual-door specification for evaluation on route 16.[8][9] East Yorkshire Motor Services, meanwhile, took delivery of a single Spectra in September 1992 that was similarly used to evaluate the type for inclusion in the company's fleet replacement programme.[10]

The first two low-floor Optare Spectras on DAF DB250LF chassis were handed over to the National Express Group in October 1997, being allocated to Travel West Midlands and Travel Dundee respectively.[11][12] These were followed by 20 more Spectras being delivered to Travel West Midlands to upgrade West Midlands bus route 50.[13]

Wilts & Dorset were the largest operator of Optare Spectras in both step-entrance and low-floor format, ordering 78 from the early 1990s to 2002.[citation needed] Arriva Yorkshire, the second-largest operator of the type purchased a total of 42 low-floor Spectras, purchasing 18 in 1999 and another 24 in 2002.[14]

31 left-hand drive dual door Spectras were produced for operators in Turkey, with 26 being produced for IETT in Istanbul[15] and five being produced for İzulaş in İzmir. İzmir's Spectras were finished in London Buses red and tapegrey livery as the city's mayor was impressed by the liveries of London Central's Spectras.[16]

Other operators of the Optare Spectra include Eastbourne Buses, who took on 12 Spectras in 1997, Capital Logistics, who received a delayed order of six dual-door Spectras in 1999 for use on London Buses route 60, and Isle of Man Transport, who had three low-floor Spectras delivered in 2000.[citation needed] Abus of Bristol's first low-floor Optare Spectra entered service on 4 February 1998, becoming the first low-floor, fully accessible double-decker bus to enter service in the United Kingdom hours ahead of the Travel West Midlands Spectra.[17]

Production of the Optare Spectra ceased when the final two rolled off the line in late 2006, with the last Optare Spectra being built for Anglian Bus.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Optare reveal DAF's secret". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 11 June 1992. p. 18. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Morgan, Mike (12 September 1992). "Setting the pace". Coach & Bus Week. No. 30. Peterborough: Emap. pp. 25–27. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  3. ^ Peck, Colin (15 July 2010). DAF Trucks Since 1949. Veloce Publishing Limited. p. 76-77. ISBN 978-1-8458-4260-4. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  4. ^ Morgan, Mike (31 May 1997). "Lowfloor decker 'first'". Coach & Bus Week. No. 271. Peterborough: Emap. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Green claim for Spectra". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 13 February 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  6. ^ "London's first Spectra". Coach & Bus Week. No. 31. Peterborough: Emap. 19 September 1992. p. 10.
  7. ^ "London launch for £100,000 red buses". Evening Standard. London. 8 September 1992. p. 130. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Spectra for Metroline". Coach & Bus Week. No. 34. Peterborough: Emap. 10 October 1992. p. 14. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Spectra orders pass 60 mark". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 13 August 1992. p. 18. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  10. ^ Jarosz, Andrew (26 September 1992). "EYMS buys Optare Spectra". Coach & Bus Week. No. 32. Peterborough: Emap. p. 10. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  11. ^ Williams, Mark (16 October 1997). "TWM: orders for over 200 lowfloors". Coach & Bus Week. No. 291. Peterborough: Emap. p. 14. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Landmark Spectra preserved". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  13. ^ Jarosz, Andrew (8 January 1998). "TWM orders over 100 more lowfloors". Coach & Bus Week. No. 302. Peterborough: Emap. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  14. ^ Day, James (12 September 2012). "Arriva's uniform bus and coach fleet". Coach & Bus Week. No. 1053. Peterborough. p. 58. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  15. ^ "First Spectra set for Turkey". Coach & Bus Week. No. 72. Peterborough: Emap. 3 July 1993.
  16. ^ "Izmir gets first deckers". Coach & Bus Week. No. 105. Peterborough: Emap. 26 February 1994. p. 10.
  17. ^ "Abus – The History" (PDF). Abus. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
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