Excel-ling
Optare built over 600 examples of the Excel between 1995 and 2004 (inc), sandwiched between the Sigma on 'step entrance' Dennis Lance chassis and the Tempo.
Richards Bros operated two - 10.7m P508 NWU and 11.8m YN53 ELH, both of which were former demonstrators - whilst a third, 10.7m N205 LCK, was acquired just for spares. YN53 ELH was trialled in late 2003 and returned to Optare, but was acquired in early 2004.
She was perhaps the more prominent being allocated to Service 412 (Cardigan-Newport-Fishguard-Haverfordwest), for which she carried branding. This is evident in this April 2014 shot of her entering Haverfordwest Bus Station when returning to Cardigan (Aberteifi), with Silcox UVG-bodied Dennis Javelin P780 WDE laying over. She was withdrawn four years later, used for spares and sold for scrap in c.2020.
So much has changed in the ensuing years - Service 412 is now part of TrawsCymru Service T5 and has been extended up the coast to Aberystwyth, Silcox ceased trading in June 2016 and Haverfordwest Bus Station and adjoining multi-storey car park have been demolished and a new facility is currently being built on the site.
Excel-ling
Optare built over 600 examples of the Excel between 1995 and 2004 (inc), sandwiched between the Sigma on 'step entrance' Dennis Lance chassis and the Tempo.
Richards Bros operated two - 10.7m P508 NWU and 11.8m YN53 ELH, both of which were former demonstrators - whilst a third, 10.7m N205 LCK, was acquired just for spares. YN53 ELH was trialled in late 2003 and returned to Optare, but was acquired in early 2004.
She was perhaps the more prominent being allocated to Service 412 (Cardigan-Newport-Fishguard-Haverfordwest), for which she carried branding. This is evident in this April 2014 shot of her entering Haverfordwest Bus Station when returning to Cardigan (Aberteifi), with Silcox UVG-bodied Dennis Javelin P780 WDE laying over. She was withdrawn four years later, used for spares and sold for scrap in c.2020.
So much has changed in the ensuing years - Service 412 is now part of TrawsCymru Service T5 and has been extended up the coast to Aberystwyth, Silcox ceased trading in June 2016 and Haverfordwest Bus Station and adjoining multi-storey car park have been demolished and a new facility is currently being built on the site.