Excel-ling - 4
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.
Reading Buses was a major customer, taking 48 (numbered 901-45 & 961-3) between 1997 and 2000, split over several batches. The first 45 were 11.5m examples, whilst the final three were 11.8m. When the batch of seven delivered in Autumn 1998 (925-31) came up for withdrawal and sale in late 2009, five found their way to South Wales operators in early 2010. New Adventure Travel received three and South Wales Transport received S926/30 LBL, plus older R916 SJH.
They initially entered service in Reading's cream, maroon and turquoise livery, and this gave way to all-over white before green was applied to their skirts and cove panels. This is illustrated by S930 LBL as she is captured on the West Way Metro Track in October 2010 during the 18 months that Swansea Bus Station was closed for re-development and Tesco funded a free service between its store and the temporary City Centre terminus points.
The trio passed to Ensignbus in early 2012, and S930 LBL was subsequently sold to P&O Ferries for foot passenger use at Dover Port. R916 SJH and S926 LBL were presumably sold by Ensignbus for scrap.
Excel-ling - 4
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.
Reading Buses was a major customer, taking 48 (numbered 901-45 & 961-3) between 1997 and 2000, split over several batches. The first 45 were 11.5m examples, whilst the final three were 11.8m. When the batch of seven delivered in Autumn 1998 (925-31) came up for withdrawal and sale in late 2009, five found their way to South Wales operators in early 2010. New Adventure Travel received three and South Wales Transport received S926/30 LBL, plus older R916 SJH.
They initially entered service in Reading's cream, maroon and turquoise livery, and this gave way to all-over white before green was applied to their skirts and cove panels. This is illustrated by S930 LBL as she is captured on the West Way Metro Track in October 2010 during the 18 months that Swansea Bus Station was closed for re-development and Tesco funded a free service between its store and the temporary City Centre terminus points.
The trio passed to Ensignbus in early 2012, and S930 LBL was subsequently sold to P&O Ferries for foot passenger use at Dover Port. R916 SJH and S926 LBL were presumably sold by Ensignbus for scrap.