Switch Solo
Switch Solo SR
Somerset Passenger Solutions Optare Solo SR
in Bridgwater in August 2017
Overview
ManufacturerSwitch Mobility
Production1998–2012 (Solo)
2007–present (Solo SR)
Body and chassis
ClassMinibus
Midibus
Body styleSingle-decker bus
Doors1 door or 2 doors
Floor typeLow entry
Powertrain
EngineCummins B series/ISB/ISBe
MAN
Mercedes-Benz
Capacity23–37 seated
TransmissionAllison
Siemens (hybrid electric)
Enova Systems (fully electric)
Magtec (fully electric)
Voith DIWA (SR version only)
Dimensions
Length7.10–10.20 m (23 ft 4 in – 33 ft 6 in)
Width2.33–2.5 m (7 ft 8 in – 8 ft 2 in)
Height2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)

The Switch Solo (formerly sold as the Optare Solo) is a low-floor minibus/midibus with one or two doors manufactured by Switch Mobility in the United Kingdom since 1998. The Solo name is a play on its low-floor status, the manufacturer marketing its vehicle as having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm (8 in) with kneeling suspension. In January 2012 Optare announced the end of production for the original Solo design with a modified Solo SR taking over.

The original innovative design, featuring a front axle ahead of the entrance door, gained a Millennium product award, along with a Queen's Award for Enterprise.[1] 3,857 original model Solos were built between 1998 and 2012.[2] As of April 2017, almost 1,500 Solo SRs had been built.[3]

Construction

Rear of a Townlynx Solo M880 in Chester in April 2009
Rear of an Arriva North East Solo M950 in Darlington in May 2009. Note the difference in tail lights used on both rears.

The Solo is an integral midibus (as opposed to a separate chassis and body) built in a modular design, with steel frame and GRP panels. Detailed analysis and computer modelling of the design and any impacts of stresses it would see in service were undertaken by finite element analysis firm Analysis by Firth, based in Wigan, UK.[4] It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM904LA engine, which produces 122 bhp (91 kW) or 147 bhp (110 kW) according to specification, and it is typically mated to an Allison 2000 automatic gearbox. Later, the options of a Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder 185 bhp (138 kW) engine or a MAN engine became available.[5] There was also the option of a 4-speed Allison AT545 gearbox. In 2005 a hybrid Solo was constructed, using a small diesel unit and an Eneco (now known as Traction Technology) battery propulsion unit.

The Switch Solo is available in various lengths: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in), 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in), 9.2 m (30 ft 2 in) and 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in) - all 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide. The chassis type code of the Solo denotes the length – M780 corresponds to 7.8 m, M850 to 8.5 m, and so forth. However, the Cummins-powered Solos required extra rear bodywork in order to accommodate the larger engine, which increased the overall length by 0.3 m (1 ft). This is reflected in the chassis code, so a Cummins-powered Solo was coded M810, M880, M950 or M1020.

Along with the launch of the 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in) model, the Solo was also first offered with LED-type rear lights, as opposed to the standard rectangular clusters. Seating capacities range from 25 for an M780, 29 for an M850, 33 for M920 and 37 for an M990.

Original variants

Slimline

Stagecoach South West Solo Slimline in Exeter in July 2006

A narrow-bodied version named the "Slimline" was launched in 2004 with the first examples entering service in August. It is 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) wide, and identifiable by small rear wheel wheelarch extensions. Available across all lengths except the M990, the Slimline is identified by having an SL-suffix in the chassis code, e.g. M780SL for a 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) long version. The Optare Solo Slimline is a 25-seated low-floor bus to replace the Optare MetroRider.

The compact size of an M780SL, with its seating capacity of 25, has made it a popular choice for replacing earlier-generation minibuses, such as the MCW Metrorider, and other van-based buses.

SE

First South West Solo SE at Penzance station in June 2015

In June 2006, Optare announced the arrival of another Solo model – the Solo SE. At just 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in) in length, it is the shortest Solo offered, and is capable of seating 23.[6] It also uses a single-piece entrance door as an option. This is a variant of the Slimline – hence it is 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in) wide, but noticeably the rear track has been reduced compared to previous Slimline models, eliminating the need for wheelarch extensions on the rear of the bus. Optare also plans to produce a 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) long version of the SE.

The first SE built, the former Optare demonstrator, entered service with Regal Busways, of Essex, in September 2006. The company has since acquired a further four examples.

EV

In March 2009, Optare launched the all-electric version of the Solo, the Solo EV.[7][8] The vehicle's top speed is limited to 90 km/h (56 mph). Since the summer of 2013, the vehicle uses a high-efficiency MAGTEC P180 Permanent Magnet Motor-Gearbox rated at 150 kW and powered by two banks of Valence lithium-ion phosphate batteries. The two packs work in parallel and provide 307 V with a total capacity of 92 kWh.

Solo SR

Courtney Buses Solo SR in Wokingham in July 2014
Arriva Kent & Sussex Solo SR rear in Tunbridge Wells in April 2009

In October 2007, Optare unveiled the Solo SR at the Coach & Bus Show. It is a completely-restyled version of the Solo drawing styling features from the Versa, such as the curved side windows and sweeping roof (with the destination screen and air conditioning unit underneath). Some features of the Solo such as the curved front windscreen and the unusual chassis layout, with the front wheels ahead of the doorway, were retained. Another new unusual feature to the Solo SR is the lack of a destination box on the standard model. However, Optare offers this as an option to individual customer specification.[9]

In January 2012, Optare announced that the facelifted Solo SR would replace the standard Solo for both UK and export markets, with the standard design being withdrawn from sale.[10]

It was then available in 7.1 m, 7.8 m, 8.9 m and 9.6 m variants, all available in the Slimline (2.35 m wide) version. 8.9 m and 9.6 m models are available in the wider 2.5 m body width. All 2012 Solo SRs feature curved side glazing and high specification interiors allowing up to 37 seats in the longest derivative.

Some of the bodywork components had been redesigned to take advantage of the benefits achieved on the recently released Tempo SR design which reduced both weight and cost and further improve fuel economy.

Hybrid

The diesel-electric hybrid single-decker bus had room for 53 passengers; its configuration can be changed to provide seating for up to 34 passengers plus one wheelchair with additional standing room. Its peak power demands are met by batteries that are recharged on-board by the diesel generator.

EV

A battery electric variant of the Solo SR, with a maximum battery capacity of 135 kWh, was launched by Switch Mobility in 2023. The first six Solo SR EVs entered service with Translink Ulsterbus for use in Coleraine, with two of the six being allocated for Giant's Causeway shuttle services.[11]

Solo+

In November 2008 the 'new' Optare unveiled the Solo+ – a completely restyled variant to celebrate ten years of the Solo as a new low-entry bus and was launched at the Euro Bus Expo 2008. It shared the same styling with the Rapta, which was launched at the same show. It sees the return of the flat side windows and roof as well as a steeper front end with an integral destination box. Proposed options include a full electric drive.

However, the plan of producing the Solo+ was dropped afterwards.[12] The new product met with a poor market response and never made it beyond the prototype stage. The further development required to make the product an improvement on previous models was possibly deemed to be too great (and costly), the plans being shelved.

Operators

United Kingdom

CT Plus Solo M960 in July 2014

The first Optare Solos entered service in 1998 with Wilts & Dorset, with the operator initially taking on 32 examples to convert its Poole bus services to low-floor operation. The company eventually took on a total of 85 Solos.[13] Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group, Wellglade Group, Translink in Northern Ireland,[14][15] and Travel West Midlands made subsequent orders, with all having operated large fleets. Solos have been operated by Transport for London operators Arriva London, Quality Line, Metrobus and Travel London. Speedwellbus operated some in various liveries. A fleet of over 30 operated by LibertyBus is in use in Jersey.[2][3]

Malta

In 2011, Arriva Malta purchased nine Optare Solo Hybrid, registered as BUS 267 - BUS 275, for some of its routes in Malta and Gozo. These were passed on to Malta Public Transport, but their use declined and, after summer 2015, they sporadically appeared in summer 2016 and summer 2017, before being withdrawn, and some were used as staff buses in Floriana.

Moreover, between 2014 and 2015, Malta Public Transport loaned 23 Optare Solo SR, registered as BUS 330 - BUS 352, to increase the carrying capacity. These buses were returned to the United Kingdom in September 2015.

Republic of Ireland

The Solo Slimline saw frequent use as a localized bus service from Bray, County Wicklow, operated by Finnegan Bray, and throughout the rest of the country by Bus Éireann.

Europe

Netherlands operator Syntus purchased 25 Solos in 2010.[16][13] In 2015, Solo EVs were delivered to Karlstad in Sweden.[17] In Hungary, Kapos Volán bought one, which is operating in Siófok.

Asia

Optare Solo SR in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, AMS Public Transport (Chinese: 進智公交]) and Koon Wing Motor Limited (Chinese: 冠榮車行) respectively bought an Optare Solo SR for their public light bus service. Optare Solo SR was the first model of low-floor public light bus in use in Hong Kong.

North America

Miami-Dade County North American Bus Industries 30-LFN (2 doors) in May 2013

In the United States, a left hand drive version of the Solo was sold from 2003 to 2005 by North American Bus Industries (which at the time owned Optare) as the 30-LFN. Major purchasers were American Eagle Airlines and Miami-Dade Transit. NABI's sale of Optare coupled with poor sales led to its demise in the US market.

Middle East

In 2010, four Solos were purchased by Israeli operator Dan Bus Company.[18][13]

Solo buses were purchased by the RTA in Dubai.[19] Optare was to supply Dubai with 94 buses by quarter one of 2019 with a deal valued at approximately 18m British Pounds.

South Africa

In 2012, Optare delivered the first of 190 Solo SRs for Cape Town's MyCiTi bus rapid transit system. These were supplied as knock-down kits and assembled locally.[20][21][22]

Australia

In New Zealand, Reesby Buses imported nine Solo M880s to operate in Rotorua.[23][13][24] In Australia, Optare Solos have been purchased by SkyBus, Transdev Melbourne and Ventura Bus Lines in Melbourne, Bus Queensland in Toowoomba and Hamilton Island.[25][26][27]

References

  1. ↑ Optare Awards Optare
  2. 1 2 Optare Solo Bus Lists on the Web
  3. 1 2 Optare Solo SR Bus Lists on the Web
  4. ↑ "Up-Tempo - Optare". Analysis by Firth. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. ↑ MAN-powered Solo for M&H Archived 26 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 3 August 2007
  6. ↑ New 23-seat Solo SE model from Optare Archived 20 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 20 June 2006
  7. ↑ "Optare's Solo EV – Britain's first practical electric bus".
  8. ↑ Optare Solo gets a new look and electric power Bus World 4 November 2008
  9. ↑ New Solo SR from Optare Archived 7 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 3 October 2007
  10. ↑ Optare to retire original Solo; new look Solo SR its successor Optare 3 January 2012
  11. ↑ "Six-strong Switch Solo EV fleet delivered to Translink". routeone. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  12. ↑ Delivering on the promise Bus & Coach Professional 22 January 2009
  13. 1 2 3 4 Jarosz, Andrew (30 January 2018). "Two decades of Solo". Bus & Coach Buyer. Peterborough. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "Translink orders 190 new buses". Bus & Coach Professional. 29 April 2005. Archived from the original on 24 March 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  15. ↑ Morton, Robin (25 August 2003). "Getting the bus... sure it's child's play". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  16. ↑ Optare wins major Dutch order Archived 26 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 9 July 2010
  17. ↑ Electric Optares to go into operation in Sweden Archived 26 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 1 July 2015
  18. ↑ Israel goes Solo Archived 25 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 15 February 2010
  19. ↑ "Optare Solo's Enter Feeder Service With RTA in Dubai". Optare. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  20. ↑ Optares for Cape Town BRT Optare 25 November 2011
  21. ↑ Optare confirms £18 million South African contract Optare 20 December 2011
  22. ↑ African Solo deliveries start Archived 26 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 21 June 2012
  23. ↑ Antipodean Solo Archived 26 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 2 August 2010
  24. ↑ Reesby Buses Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  25. ↑ Skybus Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  26. ↑ Transdev Melbourne Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  27. ↑ Optare Solo for Hamilton Island, Australia Optare 18 September 2015

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