Optare Solo

The Switch Solo (previously called Optare Solo) is a single decker bus, It has a low-floor, It has been made from 1998 to the present day by Switch Mobility.

Switch Solo Switch Solo SR
Somerset Passenger Solutions Optare Solo SR in Bridgwater in August 2017
Overview
Manufacturer	Optare/Switch Mobility
Production	1998–2012 (Solo) 2007–present (Solo SR)
Body and chassis
Class	Minibus Midibus
Body style	Single-decker bus
Doors	1 door or 2 doors
Floor type	Low entry
Powertrain
Engine	Cummins B series/ISB/ISBe MAN Mercedes-Benz
Capacity	19–37 seated
Transmission	Allison Siemens (hybrid electric) Enova Systems (fully electric) Magtec (fully electric) Voith DIWA (SR version only)
Dimensions
Length	7.10–10.30 m (23 ft 4 in – 33 ft 10 in)
Width	2.33–2.5 m (7 ft 8 in – 8 ft 2 in)
Height	2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Optare MetroRider

Solo (1998–2012)

The Optare Solo is a single decker bus, it has a low-floor, It was made from 1998 to 2007 by Optare.

Slimline

A narrow version called the "Slimline"^[1] was made in 2004

SE

A short version called the "SE"^[1] was made in 2006

EV

An electric version called the "EV" was made in 2009

Gallery

• 
  First generation Solo Original (M1020)
• 
  First generation Solo Slimline (M780SL)
• 
  First generation Solo SE (M780SE)
• 
  First generation Solo EV (M950EV)
• 
  Rear of a Townlynx Solo (M880) in Chester in April 2009
• 
  Rear of an Arriva North East Solo (M950) in Darlington in May 2009. Note the difference in rear lights used on both buses.

Solo SR (2007–Present)

The Switch Solo SR (previously the Optare Solo SR) is a single decker bus, it has a low-floor, It has been made from 2007 to the present day by Optare and then Switch Mobility.

In 2012, it was improved, the chrome trim on the front and back bumper was removed, the Optare logo on the front was removed and it had new rear lights.

In 2020, Optare changed its name to Switch Mobility^[2] and make electric vehicles only.^[2]

Slimline

A narrow version called the "Slimline" was made.^[3]

SE-R

A short version called the "SE-R" was made.^[4][5]

Hybrid

A diesel-electric hybrid Solo was made.^[6]

EV

A battery electric Solo was made in 2012.^[7]

Gallery

• 
  SR (M960) (before improvements)
• 
  Slimline (M890SL) (before improvements)
• 
  Slimline (M925SL) (after improvements)
• 
  SE-R (M720SE) (after improvements)
• 
  Hybrid (M820SR) (before improvements)
• 
  EV (M920EV) (before improvements)
• 
  SR (M960) rear (before improvements)
• 
  SE-R (M720SE) rear (after improvements)