As mentioned in my previous photo about Optare and Reading Buses, here is a smart Excel, seen here on Friar Street, in the Berkshire town, loading on a busy late afternoon service, on 05/08/1998. A total of forty-nine were bought new with this one being delivered in 01/1998 and was in a batch that totalled nine, 916-24, R916-24SJH.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots Colourslide II.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1998.

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Reading was becoming the capital of Optare vehicles, either bodied or integral, during the 1980s - 1990s. They had the VW based City Pacers, MetroRiders, DAF based Deltas, these Optare Vecta bodied MANs, Optare Excells and Optare bodied Leyland Olympians. Later, they also added the ubiquitous Optare Solos. This MAN, seen here on Station Road, in the town, on 05/08/1998, was new to Reading, in 01/1996. Although displaying a route number, there is a lack of destination display. This was the last of thirteen, 801-13, that were supplied new, with sister 812 arriving a month earlier.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots Colourslide II.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1998.

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Whatever London Transport/London Buses did, Reading seemed to follow suit, although on a much smaller scale of course. Scania Metropolitans, MCW Metrobus, Leyland Titan TN15s, and even this Van Hool bodied DAF, of which London Coaches had a large batch, although in effect, these dealer registered DAFs, from the Hughes-DAF dealership were spread far and wide across the country. From the small coaching arm of Reading Buses, this DAF was new to Hallmark, Luton, in 03/1992. It is seen here looking smart on Station Hill, Reading, opposite Reading Railway Station, on 05/08/1998.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots Colourslide II.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1998.

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As mentioned in the previous photo, the City Pacer was Optare's first entry into the minibus market. Based on the VW LT55 running units, this example is seen here on Station Hill, opposite Reading Railway Station, on 05/08/1998. It had been new to Blackpool Transport(558), in 10/1987, in a batch of thirteen, 549-59/67/8, E549GFR etc. with Blackpool taking in thirty-two of these new in total.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots Colourslide II.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1998.

Tags:   E558GFR

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Following on from it's much larger neighbour London, as well as purchasing Scania Metropolitans, MCW Metrobus and Leyland Titan TN15s, Reading also purchased Leyland Olympians but only fifteen were purchased five ECW bodied coach seated Olympians, three Optare bodied coach seated Olympians and seven of these dual-doored bus seated versions, 11-7, E915-7DRD. 15 is seen here on Station Hill, Reading, at Reading Railway Station, on 05/08/1998.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots Colourslide II.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1998.

Tags:   E915DRD

© All Rights Reserved