Optare unveils the MetroDecker

Optare, a subsidiary of Hinduja Group’s Ashok Leyland, the fourth-largest bus manufacturer in the world, has launched a new bus called the MetroDecker. The bus was unveiled at the London Transport Museum in the presence of several dignitaries.

The launch model has a low unladen weight of just 9.8 tonnes. According to Optare, this has been achieved through the combination of a lightweight stainless-steel body framing and light components, including the four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM934A engine.

Speaking at the occasion, GP Hinduja, Co-Chairman, Hinduja Group, said, “We are extremely proud that Optare is transforming itself into a truly international company, with the able support of Ashok Leyland, our group flagship that carries over 100 million people on its buses every day."

"The Hinduja Group has invested heavily in Optare since taking a majority stake in 2012, consolidating all production in a new facility in Leeds. Around 90 per cent of Optare’s supply chain is based in Britain," he further added.

MetroDecker is the second in the series of releases specifically developed for the London market - the first being the single-decker MetroCity bus. Optare aims to have the first vehicle delivered to bus-operators by early 2015.