Optare has marked the delivery of the first batch of 114 Metrocity buses to New Zealand at a special ceremony at the British High Commission in the country’s capital, Wellington.
Acting British High Commissioner, Helen Smith cut the ribbon on the first bus of Optare’s biggest ever Australasian export order, worth NZ$40m (£21m).
The buses are being supplied to Tranzit Group, one of New Zealand’s largest public transport operators.
The first 12 of the buses, all manufactured in the UK, begin operation around Greater Wellington Regional Council routes in Wellington and the surrounding region in the next few weeks.
The Metrocity buses for Tranzit feature Euro 6 engines, a passenger capacity of up to 55 and will be the lightest with this capacity to operate in New Zealand.
Graham Belgum, Optare President says: “This is a significant step for Optare in our international export strategy and signals the start of the exciting growth opportunities available to us in Australasia.
“Furthermore, it recognises our continued innovation in lightweight design, delivering significant annual savings in fuel consumption and operating costs.”
