Optare Tempo

The Optare Tempo is a full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As of July 2017, 233 had been built, including 27 Tempo SRs.[1] The Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.

Optare Tempo
Transdev Yellow Buses Optare Tempo in
Christchurch in May 2009
Overview
ManufacturerOptare
Production2005–2013 (Tempo)
2012–2017 (Tempo SR UK)
2014-present(Tempo SR Overseas)
Body and chassis
Doors1, 2 or 3
Floor typeLow floor
ChassisIntegral
Powertrain
EngineMercedes-Benz OM906LA
MAN D0836
Capacity26–47 seated
TransmissionAllison
ZF
Dimensions
Length10.6, 11.3, 12.0, 12.2, 12.6 & 12.7 metres
Width2.50 metres
Height3.03 metres
Chronology
PredecessorOptare Excel
SuccessorOptare MetroCity
(UK market only)

Tempo

The Optare Tempo was launched in October 2004, with the first delivered to Trentbarton in February 2005. It came in four different lengths: 10.6, 11.3, 12.0 and 12.6 metres and it has a raised roofline in the middle continuously to the rear roof spoiler instead of an arched top.[2]

It was originally powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM906LA engine, with a MAN D0836 engine option later introduced, coupled to an Allison or ZF automatic transmission. In 2007, a hybrid version was introduced for London operators. The Optare Tempo has stopped production and got replaced with the Optare Tempo SR.[3]

Tempo SR
External images
Optare Tempo SR front
Optare Tempo SR rear

In October 2011, a restyled version was launched as the Tempo SR.[4] The Tempo SR came in three different lengths: 10.6, 11.3 and 12.0 metres and incorporated a Mercedes-Benz OM906 six-cylinder 210 kW (282 bhp) SCR engine (the MAN engine option being dropped). ZF 6HP500* six-speed transmission could be specified as an alternative to the standard Allison T310R gearbox – both of which feature integral retarders.

Trentbarton were announced as the launch customer for the Tempo SR, taking delivery of thirteen examples between May and July 2012. Following poor sales, the Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity. However, Manchester Airport took delivery of a further four Tempo SRs in May 2017 for use on airport car park shuttle bus operations; these buses came from an order intended for an Australian operator, which was cancelled. As of October 2018, Trent Barton has replaced all Tempo SR's with Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC's, which is now operating the i4 service.

As of Early 2019, municipal bus operator Ipswich Buses have purchased all 13 ex Trent Barton Optare Tempo SR's.

Operators

United Kingdom

Arriva UK Bus, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group, Transdev Blazefield, Lynx and the Wellglade Group all have all been purchasers of the original Tempo. It has been operated by Transport for London operators East London, London United and Metroline.[1] Trentbarton and Manchester Airport have both purchased a number of Tempo SRs.

Additionally, Lynx are now the largest operators of the Tempo in the world, having purchased large numbers of vehicles second-hand.

Europe

One left hand drive Optare Tempo was exported to Kiel, Germany in 2007,[5] but it was taken out of service shortly afterwards.

Australia

In Australia, Tempos have been purchased by Ventura Carbridge and Park Ridge Transit.[6][7][8]

  • Rear of a Tempo, operated by Transdev Yellow Buses in Bournemouth.
  • Interior flexibility: optional luggage rack and info screen, wheelchair and buggy bay
  • Arriva Netherlands Optare Tempo in July 2009

References
  1. Optare Tempo Bus Lists on the Web
  2. Optare's Tempo single-deck unveiled Bus & Coach Professional 30 September 2004
  3. Hybrid Tempo confirmed for 2007 Bus & Coach Professional 17 January 2007
  4. Optare's new Tempo SR sets the standard for style, weight and fuel efficiency Optare 5 October 2011
  5. Optate Tempo Left Hand Drive Bus Lists on the Web
  6. Three-door Optare Tempo Australasian Bus & Coach 11 September 2014
  7. Carbridge Australian Bus Fleet Lists
  8. Park Ridge Transit Australian Bus Fleet Lists
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