Nick Larkin reports on a 17-year-old vehicle fitter who is building up a collection of Optare Solos – including the oldest survivor
Ryan Coles works for Tech Trucks in Herefordshire, which has now taken over Sargeants of Kington, where his mum, Vicki is a driver. Ryan has grown up with commercial vehicles, his grandad, David Lloyd, running Lloyd Specialised Haulage in Powys.
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“I did my work experience at Sargeants and absolutely loved it,” said Ryan. “They had an Optare Solo, Y877 PWT, which had been in the fleet since new in 2001 and had just been withdrawn. My mum used to drive it and I really wanted to see it saved, and started doing some MOT work on it.”
Ryan made regular trips back to Sargeants and eventually was offered a job at Tech Trucks. To Ryan’s delight, Tech Trucks owner Matt Evans even presented him with the Solo, which is now just about ready for MOT.
Meanwhile, well-known enthusiast and collector Stuart Boxall, impressed by Ryan’s Solo effort, knew of another example, MX03 YCN, that was available, this bus having run for TM Travel.
Ryan’s fleet increased to three when, while doing some internet research he discovered Solo R609 NFX, new to Wilts & Dorset and later running for BlueStar. “It is the oldest surviving Solo, first being registered in May 1998. It was parked in Geoff Ripley’s scrap yard in Barnsley and I felt I had to save it, so a deal was done and it’s my third Solo,” Ryan reveals. “It’s a big project.”
Ryan came straight to the point when asked why he is keen on preserving Solos: “Someone has to!”
The Optare Solo
The Optare Solo has now been a familiar sight on British roads for more than two decades, the name of the integral midibus paying tribute to its ultra (so) low floor and step entrance height. The new model caused a sensation at the 1997 Coach and Bus Show. Replacing the step entrance MetroRider it featured a Mercedes-Benz engine, to be joined by a Cummins option, and Allison transmission.
Notable features included a quick release subframe for engine changes and front wheels in front of the entrance door. The Solo has proved popular with large fleets and independents alike, early customers including Wilts & Dorset and Nottingham City Transport.
Variants have included vehicles of different lengths, dual door, narrow, hybrid and electric variants. The 5,000th example was sold in 2015.
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