Optare Delta

The Optare Delta was a single-decker bus body produced for the DAF SB220 chassis. They were built in a factory in Leeds, England. They are known for their distinctive sloping front window. A common feature about the bus that it has a distinctive one-piece windscreen with a sloped windowline and a separately mounted destination display.[1]

Optare Delta
Southern Transit Delta at Wisley Airfield in 2009
Overview
ManufacturerOptare
AssemblyLeeds, England
Body and chassis
Doors1, 2 and 3 door models used in ports.
Floor typeStep entrance
ChassisDAF SB220 (types SB220LC550, DE02LTSB220, DE02GSSB220)
Powertrain
EngineDAF DKTL 1160 (11.6 litres) Horizontal version
TransmissionZF Automatic
Dimensions
Length11950mm
Width2500mm
Height3000mm
An Optare Delta DP46F body in Blackpool

Production

The Delta was launched in 1988. The first example to be sold to an operator came in February 1989, when independent Northern Bus bought a single vehicle which it later sold to Manchester-based Walls.[2] Other early customers included Crosville Cymru, which took two three months later,[3] and Ogden's Travel, which also acquired two at the same time.[4] Reading Buses bought ten Deltas in 1990,[5] while Northumbria Motor Services, Teesside Motor Services and United Automobile Services also bought large numbers.[6] Potteries Motor Traction was another customer, with its first example arriving in August 1990.[1] Blackpool Transport operated 31 vehicles from 1990 to 2010.

Harris Bus, part of Harris Coaches in Grays Thurrock in Essex also purchased two vehicles for their short lived 303 route in October 1989. [7]

A particular model has 3 doors and raised suspension for transporting foot passengers to and from ferries to terminals.

Production of the Delta ceased in 1999. 324 were built in total.

Optare Delta in culture

An Optare Delta in all-over red livery is featured as a driveable vehicle in the PlayStation 2 game The Getaway, and its sequel The Getaway: Black Monday.[8]

Additionally, a model of the Optare Delta has been produced by Corgi Toys under its Original Omnibus range.

References
  1. Optare Delta restored by Paul Pearson of Potteries Ominbus Preservation Society | PMT | thisisstaffordshire.co.uk
  2. Brown, Stewart J (September 1993). Buses in Britain. Capital Transport. p. 101. ISBN 1-85414-158-9.
  3. Brown p.220
  4. Brown p.50
  5. Brown p.172
  6. Brown p.78
  7. "Bus Lists on the Web". www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  8. IGCD.net: Optare Delta in video games
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