Optare Vecta

Optare Vecta
An Optare Vecta operating with HTL Buses of Liverpool. It was originally an Optare demonstrator.
Overview
Manufacturer	Optare
Production	1991–1997
Assembly	Leeds, England
Body and chassis
Doors	1 door
Floor type	Step entrance
Chassis	MAN 11.180/11.190
Powertrain
Engine	MAN (original) Cummins (re-engines)
Capacity	31 to 39 seated
Transmission	ZF automatic
Dimensions
Length	10200mm
Width	2500mm
Height	3000mm
Chronology
Successor	Optare Excel

The Optare Vecta was a step-entrance single-decker bus body that was built on MAN chassis by Optare of Leeds, England between 1991 and 1997. The Vecta was largely similar to the Delta body on the DAF SB220, but had a straight front end with a separately mounted destination display. Most were based on the 11.190 chassis, but there were also two built on the less powerful 11.180. The Vecta is built for medium-length chassis whereas the Sigma is built for full length chassis as the Dennis Lance chassis.

A total of 130 were built, with the biggest customer being United Automobile Services with 51. Trent Buses took 15, while Reading Transport bought 13, including the two 11.180s. Other significant customers included London bus operators Westlink and R & I Tours (eight and five respectively), Scottish coach operator Hutchison of Overtown (seven) and Crosville Cymru, Black Prince of Morley and Tillingbourne of Cranleigh (four each).

The United and Crosville Cymru vehicles were subsequently operated by Arriva North East, with some having their MAN engines replaced by Cummins power units.