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The MetroRider was an integral bus, which means the chassis and body were constructed as a single structure. It had many options, and was available in three lengths and two widths. In addition, Optare offered the option of a protruding, more substantial, destination display (blind-box), as opposed to the flat on the body destination display. In later years, the MetroRider could be ordered with a one-piece rather than a standard two-piece windscreen which, in turn, became standard. Among the most popular version was the basic model, with short length, standard door and no blind-box. These buses are widely dispersed across the UK and were, for example, popular with some independent operators in rural settings such as Emsworth and District and Compass Bus in Worthing, the latter operating the last ever MetroRider (W426 CWX), from April 2000. In its prime, the MetroRider was also sold abroad in kit form, in countries such as Malaysia. Now there are a large number of MetroRiders operated by Arriva North East and are operated on long distance services such as the 7 between Durham and Darlington, the 24 between Durham and Hartlepool and the 23 between Sunderland and Hartlepool. The successor of the MetroRider is the low-floor Optare Solo. |
