EBE10—Streetlite versus Solo

Euro Bus Expo 2010 Index

The gloves are off. In the light of the Wrightbus Streetlite, I speculated yesterday that Optare might pull something out of the hat regarding its Solo. My prediction proved to be correct.

When compared to the opulence of previous East Lancs, Darwin & Optare stands, his year’s Optare offering was very spartan. Just three buses, no double deck, no EV (electric vehicle) and no minicoach. ind you, Wrightbus only had three, too. What Optare did display was a Solo SR constructed to EU regulations that has allowed it to modify the wheelchair area to fit in a complete extra row of seats.

That sounds insignificant till you understand that an 8.5m and 9.6m Solos now offers the same overall seating capacity as their Streetlite rivals. Previously, Streetlite had the advantage. And, Solo’s additional four is within the low floor area. I don't think that is the case with Streetlite.

Will this be enough to see off competition from Streetlite? In Wrightbus’ favour, the Sreetlite has a brighter interior, no doubt because of the rear window where Solo has none. The Solo rear does offer a blank canvass for branding, though. Streetlite also seemed somewhat bigger. Perhaps that’s because of the slightly higher roofline, interior “tunnel/barrel” roof affect, and slightly bowed sides. The “horseshoe” front is something you either love or hate. Then again, the same is true of the Solo’s SR front, though the standard Solo will no doubt get the extra four seats.

Streetlite also comes with a Cummins engine and, engineers particularly note, a Voith gearbox that will probably knock Solo’s into a cocked hat in terms of maintenance and longevity.

But, what about overall cost? The Solo seems the better bet, given that it is somewhat shorter for a similar LF capacity. This will affect purchase an running costs. No emergency exit intruding into the low floor area and better seats with more padding give it a boost. The seats seemed comparable to the Streetlite. Streetlite’s seats seemed more upright. Buy a standard Solo and it blends in nicely with existing Solos, no matter their ages.