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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2009}}
{{Infobox UK Bus
{{Infobox UK Bus
| name = East Lancs/Darwen/Optare Olympus
| name = East Lancs/Darwen/Optare Olympus
| image = Reading Transport 859.JPG
| image = Reading Transport 859.JPG
| caption = A [[Reading Buses]] Olympus, an example bodied by Darwen Group.
| caption = A [[Reading Buses]] Olympus, an example bodied by Darwen Group.
| manufacturer = [[Optare]]
| manufacturer = [[East Lancashire Coachbuilders]] (2006-07)<br />[[Darwen Group]] (2007-08)<br />[[Optare]] (2008-11)
| production = 2006–2011
| production = 2006–2011
| width = {{convert|2,535|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elcb.co.uk/brochures/olympus.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218103104/http://www.elcb.co.uk/brochures/olympus.pdf|title=Olympus brochure|archive-date=18 December 2006|website=elcb.co.uk/}}</ref><!-- 2.52m given in previous Optare Olympus article, but no ref -->
| width = {{convert|2,535|mm|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elcb.co.uk/brochures/olympus.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218103104/http://www.elcb.co.uk/brochures/olympus.pdf|title=Olympus brochure|archive-date=18 December 2006|website=elcb.co.uk/}}</ref><!-- 2.52m given in previous Optare Olympus article, but no ref -->
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| capacity = 68 - 100 seated <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.optare.com/op_olympus.htm|title=Optare product information|access-date=24 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817030036/http://www.optare.com/op_olympus.htm|archive-date=17 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| capacity = 68 - 100 seated <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.optare.com/op_olympus.htm|title=Optare product information|access-date=24 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817030036/http://www.optare.com/op_olympus.htm|archive-date=17 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| floortype = [[Low-floor bus|Low floor]]
| floortype = [[Low-floor bus|Low floor]]
| doors = 1 door or 2 doors
| doors = 1 or 2
| operator = [[Metroline]], [[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]], [[London United Busways|London United]] and others
| operator = [[Metroline]], [[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]], [[London United Busways|London United]] and others
⚫
| predecessor = [[East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne]]<br />[[East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander]]<br />[[East Lancs Myllennium Nordic]]<br />[[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking]]
| options = Air conditioning, seatbelts, CCTV and electronic destination displays.
⚫
| chassis = [[Scania N230UD]]<br />[[Scania N270UD]]<br />[[Volvo B9TL]] (2 or 3 axle)<br /> [[Dennis Trident 2]]
⚫
| predecessor = [[East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne]]<BR>[[East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander]]<BR>[[East Lancs Myllennium Nordic]]<BR>[[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking]]<BR>[[Scania OmniDekka]]
| related = [[East Lancs OmniDekka|Scania OmniDekka]]<br />[[Optare Visionaire]]<br />[[Optare Esteem]]
| successor = [[Optare MetroDecker]]
⚫
| chassis = [[Scania N230UD]]<br>Scania N270UD<br>[[Volvo B9TL]] (2 or 3 axle)
}}
}}


The '''Optare Olympus''' (introduced in 2006 as the '''East Lancs Olympus''', and sold as the '''Darwen Olympus''' between 2007 and 2008) is a [[double-decker bus]] built by [[Optare]]. It could be built as a [[Coachwork|body]] available on [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400]], [[Volvo B9TL]] or [[Scania N UD|Scania N230UD/N270UD]] chassis with the 2-axle and 3-axle variants.
The '''Optare Olympus''' (introduced in 2006 as the '''East Lancs Olympus''') is a [[double-decker bus]] built by [[Optare]], East Lancs and Darwen. It could be built as a [[Coachwork|body]] available on [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400]], [[Volvo B9TL]] or [[Scania N UD|Scania N230UD/N270UD]] chassis with the 2-axle and 3-axle variants. It is the [[double-decker bus|double-decker]] equivalent of the [[Optare Esteem]]. Some 3-axle Olympus buses were built.


==History==
⚫
It is the [[double-decker bus|double-decker]] equivalent of the [[Optare Esteem]]. Some 3-axle Olympus buses were built. A single prototype integral Olympus, designated the Olympus O1030, was built; this later became the basis for the new [[Optare MetroDecker]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/|title=Bus Lists on the Web|website=www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:London Bus route 148-b.jpg|thumb|A [[London United Busways|Transdev London]] East Lancs Olympus on a [[Scania N UD]] chassis|left]]The Olympus was launched by [[East Lancashire Coachbuilders]] in November 2006.<ref>Millar, Alan (2007) ''Bus & Coach Recognition'' : Ian Allan Ltd., {{ISBN|0-7110-3136-3}}</ref> The first example, built on a [[Volvo B9TL]] chassis for [[Delaine Buses]], was displayed at Euro Bus Expo 2006. It had been the intention to exhibit a higher specification model for Ham's of Flimwell, but this was not ready in time for the show, meaning the bus didn't show its full potential.


⚫
The Olympus replaced the [[Scania OmniDekka|OmniDekka]] on Scania chassis (though was still sold alongside the bus until 2011), which is 10.6 or 11.9 metres in length. On Volvo chassis, it replaced the [[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking|Myllennium Vyking]] and the [[East Lancs Nordic|Myllennium Nordic]]. On Alexander Dennis chassis, it replaced the [[East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne|Myllennium Lolyne]].
==East Lancs Olympus==
[[File:London Bus route 148-b.jpg|thumb|An East Lancs Olympus on a [[Scania N UD]] chassis operating for [[London United Busways|Transdev London]].]]
[[File:Network Colchester 104.JPG|thumb|An Darwen Olympus on a [[Scania N230UD]] chassis operating for [[Arriva Colchester|Network Colchester]]. This has since left the fleet for other [[Tellings-Golden Miller|TGM Group]] operations.]]
[[File:Stephensons Route 25 Yn08 OAP (13888060699).jpg|thumb|An East Lancs Olympus on a [[Scania N230UD]] chassis operating for [[Stephensons of Essex|Stephensons]].]]


⚫
The Olympus was launched by [[East Lancashire Coachbuilders]] in November 2006.<ref>Millar, Alan (2007) ''Bus & Coach Recognition'' : Ian Allan Ltd., {{ISBN|0-7110-3136-3}}</ref> The first example, built on a [[Volvo B9TL]] chassis for [[Delaine Buses]], was displayed at [http://www.eurobusxpo.com/ Euro Bus Expo] 2006. It had been the intention to exhibit a higher specification model for Ham's of Flimwell, but this was not ready in time for the show, meaning the bus didn't show its full potential.

⚫
The Olympus replaced the [[Scania OmniDekka|OmniDekka]] on Scania chassis, which is 10.6 or 11.9 metres in length. On Volvo chassis, it replaced the [[East Lancs Myllennium Vyking|Myllennium Vyking]]. On Alexander Dennis chassis, it replaced the [[East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne|Myllennium Lolyne]].


At the beginning of January 2007, [[Reading Buses]] ordered six Olympus with Scania chassis for their Loddon Bridge FastTrack park and ride contract to replace [[Optare Excel]]s. They entered service in a yellow and blue livery in July 2007.
At the beginning of January 2007, [[Reading Buses]] ordered six Olympus with Scania chassis for their Loddon Bridge FastTrack park and ride contract to replace [[Optare Excel]]s. They entered service in a yellow and blue livery in July 2007.


In [[London]], some bus operators purchased Olympus with Scania chassis. [[London United Busways|Transdev London]] and [[Metroline]] had these buses operating on routes 148, 7 and 297 respectively. Due to problems with the new [[Transport for London]] specified air-conditioning units, some buses failed the tilt test by one degree, and entered service late.
In [[London]], some bus operators purchased Olympus with Scania chassis. [[London United Busways|Transdev London]] and [[Metroline]] had these buses operating on routes 148, 7, 90 and 297 respectively. Due to problems with the new [[Transport for London]] specified air-conditioning units, some buses failed the tilt test by one degree, and entered service late.
=== Acquisition by Darwen ===

⚫
[[File:Network Colchester 104.JPG|thumb|A [[Arriva Colchester|Network Colchester]] Darwen Olympus on a [[Scania N230UD]] chassis ]][[East Lancashire Coachbuilders]] went into [[Administration in United Kingdom law|administration]] in August 2007 and was bought by the [[Darwen Group]]. The body was therefore renamed Darwen Olympus.
==Darwen Olympus==
⚫
[[East Lancs]] went into [[Administration in United Kingdom law|administration]] in August 2007 and was bought by the [[Darwen Group]]. The body was therefore renamed Darwen Olympus.


The first buses to be delivered under the Darwen name were those ordered by [[Cardiff Bus]] (one of which was shown at Coach and Bus live 2007) and [[Arriva Yorkshire]].
The first buses to be delivered under the Darwen name were those ordered by [[Cardiff Bus]] (one of which was shown at Coach and Bus live 2007) and [[Arriva Yorkshire]].
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[[Reading Buses]] has numerous examples bodied by Darwen, in addition to a few built by East Lancs before they went into administration.
[[Reading Buses]] has numerous examples bodied by Darwen, in addition to a few built by East Lancs before they went into administration.


==Optare Olympus==
=== Reverse takeover by Optare ===
Following the reverse takeover of [[Optare]] by [[Darwen Group]] in June 2008, the Olympus was again renamed, becoming the Optare Olympus. [[London General]] ordered the Olympus with [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400]] chassis instead of Scania which [[Metroline]] and [[London United Busways|Transdev London]] had inherited. [[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]] have 30 buses on [[Scania N230UD]] chassis, which were used on London routes [[London Buses route 54|54]] and [[London Buses route 75|75]]
Following the reverse takeover of [[Optare]] by [[Darwen Group]] in June 2008, the Olympus was again renamed, becoming the Optare Olympus. [[London General]] ordered the Olympus with [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400]] chassis instead of Scania which [[Metroline]] and [[London United Busways|Transdev London]] had inherited. These buses have since largely been withdrawn, and moved to other Go Ahead operators such as [[Bluestar (bus company)|Bluestar]], [[East Yorkshire (bus company)|East Yorkshire]] and [[Go North East]].


[[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]] have 30 buses on [[Scania N230UD]] chassis, which were used on London routes [[London Buses route 54|54]] and [[London Buses route 75|75]]
In 2009, Optare announced that it had designed its own chassis for the Optare Olympus, with a [[Mercedes-Benz]] engine, as per previous products.<ref>http://www.optare.com/op_idd.htm Optare Integral Specifications</ref> This bus was further developed and launched as the [[Optare MetroDecker]] in 2014.


⚫
In 2009, Optare announced that it had designed its own chassis for the Optare Olympus, with a [[Mercedes-Benz]] engine, as per previous products.<ref>http://www.optare.com/op_idd.htm Optare Integral Specifications</ref> A single prototype integral Olympus, designated the Olympus O1030, was built; this later became the basis for the new [[Optare MetroDecker]] and was subsequently launched in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bus Lists on the Web |url=http://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/ |website=www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk}}</ref>
==Visionaire==

{{Clear}}

==Open top variant==
{{main|Optare Visionaire}}
{{main|Optare Visionaire}}
An [[open top bus|open-top]] [[double-decker bus]] version of the Olympus, named the '''Visionaire''', was also built. Like the Olympus, it was also built on the same chassis.
An [[open top bus|open-top]] [[double-decker bus]] version of the Olympus, named the '''Visionaire''', was also built. Like the Olympus, it was also built on the same chassis.

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="nolines" widths="200" heights="130">
File:A Johnson's Excelbus in Moor Street, Birmingham, on route X20 to Stratford-on-Avon (Scania N230UD).jpg|[[Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel|Excelbus]]' Olympus with the [[Scania N series|Scania N230UD]] chassis
File:Pi11kgf (15060395549).jpg|[[Lucketts Travel|Mortons Travel]]'s Olympus with the [[Volvo B9TL]] chassis
File:Doe13 (15178023625).jpg|[[London General]]'s Olympus with the [[Enviro400]] chassis
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[List of buses]]

'''Competitors'''

* [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400]]
* [[Wright Eclipse Gemini]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Low-floor buses]]
[[Category:Low-floor buses]]
[[Category:Tri-axle buses]]
[[Category:Tri-axle buses]]
[[Category:Optare vehicles|Olympus]]
[[Category:Switch Mobility buses|Olympus]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2006]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2006]]

Latest revision as of 06:14, 30 November 2024

East Lancs/Darwen/Optare Olympus
A Reading Buses Olympus, an example bodied by Darwen Group.
Overview
ManufacturerEast Lancashire Coachbuilders (2006-07)
Darwen Group (2007-08)
Optare (2008-11)
Production2006–2011
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisScania N230UD
Scania N270UD
Volvo B9TL (2 or 3 axle)
Dennis Trident 2
RelatedScania OmniDekka
Optare Visionaire
Optare Esteem
Powertrain
Capacity68 - 100 seated [1]
Dimensions
Length10.2 to 11.9 m (33 ft 5+5⁄8 in to 39 ft 1⁄2 in)
Width2,535 mm (8 ft 3+3⁄4 in)[2]
Height4.2 to 4.3 m (13 ft 9+3⁄8 in to 14 ft 1+1⁄4 in)
Chronology
PredecessorEast Lancs Myllennium Lolyne
East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander
East Lancs Myllennium Nordic
East Lancs Myllennium Vyking

The Optare Olympus (introduced in 2006 as the East Lancs Olympus) is a double-decker bus built by Optare, East Lancs and Darwen. It could be built as a body available on Alexander Dennis Enviro400, Volvo B9TL or Scania N230UD/N270UD chassis with the 2-axle and 3-axle variants. It is the double-decker equivalent of the Optare Esteem. Some 3-axle Olympus buses were built.

History

[edit]
A Transdev London East Lancs Olympus on a Scania N UD chassis

The Olympus was launched by East Lancashire Coachbuilders in November 2006.[3] The first example, built on a Volvo B9TL chassis for Delaine Buses, was displayed at Euro Bus Expo 2006. It had been the intention to exhibit a higher specification model for Ham's of Flimwell, but this was not ready in time for the show, meaning the bus didn't show its full potential.

The Olympus replaced the OmniDekka on Scania chassis (though was still sold alongside the bus until 2011), which is 10.6 or 11.9 metres in length. On Volvo chassis, it replaced the Myllennium Vyking and the Myllennium Nordic. On Alexander Dennis chassis, it replaced the Myllennium Lolyne.

At the beginning of January 2007, Reading Buses ordered six Olympus with Scania chassis for their Loddon Bridge FastTrack park and ride contract to replace Optare Excels. They entered service in a yellow and blue livery in July 2007.

In London, some bus operators purchased Olympus with Scania chassis. Transdev London and Metroline had these buses operating on routes 148, 7, 90 and 297 respectively. Due to problems with the new Transport for London specified air-conditioning units, some buses failed the tilt test by one degree, and entered service late.

Acquisition by Darwen

[edit]
A Network Colchester Darwen Olympus on a Scania N230UD chassis

East Lancashire Coachbuilders went into administration in August 2007 and was bought by the Darwen Group. The body was therefore renamed Darwen Olympus.

The first buses to be delivered under the Darwen name were those ordered by Cardiff Bus (one of which was shown at Coach and Bus live 2007) and Arriva Yorkshire.

Reading Buses has numerous examples bodied by Darwen, in addition to a few built by East Lancs before they went into administration.

Reverse takeover by Optare

[edit]

Following the reverse takeover of Optare by Darwen Group in June 2008, the Olympus was again renamed, becoming the Optare Olympus. London General ordered the Olympus with Alexander Dennis Enviro400 chassis instead of Scania which Metroline and Transdev London had inherited. These buses have since largely been withdrawn, and moved to other Go Ahead operators such as Bluestar, East Yorkshire and Go North East.

Metrobus have 30 buses on Scania N230UD chassis, which were used on London routes 54 and 75

In 2009, Optare announced that it had designed its own chassis for the Optare Olympus, with a Mercedes-Benz engine, as per previous products.[4] A single prototype integral Olympus, designated the Olympus O1030, was built; this later became the basis for the new Optare MetroDecker and was subsequently launched in 2014.[5]

Open top variant

[edit]
Main article: Optare Visionaire

An open-top double-decker bus version of the Olympus, named the Visionaire, was also built. Like the Olympus, it was also built on the same chassis.

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Competitors

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Optare product information". Archived from the original on 17 August 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Olympus brochure" (PDF). elcb.co.uk/. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2006.
  3. ^ Millar, Alan (2007) Bus & Coach Recognition : Ian Allan Ltd., ISBN 0-7110-3136-3
  4. ^ http://www.optare.com/op_idd.htm Optare Integral Specifications
  5. ^ "Bus Lists on the Web". www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk.
[edit]
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