Optare MetroRider

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An Optare MetroRider in service with Emsworth and District at Havant Bus Station. This is the basic model.

The Optare MetroRider was a midibus sold by Optare between 1989 and 2000. The original design was based on the MCW Metrorider for which Optare bought the rights after MCW decided to end bus production. This model also replaced the less successful StarRider.

It was the most successful bus of its kind before the Solo came along. These buses are scattered among the UK, mainly in villages with independent operators like Emsworth and District. In its prime, the MetroRider was also sold abroad, in countries such as Malaysia.

It was an integral bus, meaning the chassis and body were constructed by the same company, in this case Optare. It had many options for ordering, and was available in 3 lengths and 2 widths. In addition, the option of a protruding, more substantial destination display (blind- box), as opposed to flat on the body destination display, was offered.

In later years, the MetroRider could be ordered with a one-piece windscreen instead of a standard two-piece as seen in the picture right. Soon after, the one-piece windscreen was standard.

Amongst the most popular version was the basic model - with short length, standard door and no blind-box. The successor of the MetroRider is the low-floor Optare Solo.

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