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Optare Sigma
Atbus Optare Sigma bodied Dennis Lance in 2009
Overview
Manufacturer	Optare
Production	1994 - 1996
Assembly	Cross Gates, Leeds, England
Body and chassis
Doors	1-2
Floor type	Step entrance
Chassis	Dennis Lance
Related	Optare Vecta Optare Spectra
Powertrain
Engine	Cummins C6T
Capacity	47-51 seated, 24 standing
Transmission	ZF Ecomat 4HP500 ZF Ecomat 5HP500
Dimensions
Length	11.8 metres (39 ft)
Width	2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in)
Height	3.2 metres (10 ft)
Curb weight	16,800 kilograms (37,000 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Optare Excel Optare Prisma

The Optare Sigma was a step-entrance single-deck bus body manufactured by Optare between 1994 and 1996 on the Dennis Lance chassis.

Design

Launched in April 1994, the full-size Sigma body was produced exclusively on the Dennis Lance chassis, beginning an effort by Optare to produce bodies for a more diverse range of chassis following the collapse of the United Bus manufacturing group. The Sigma body was constructed using the same Alusuisse bolted aluminium frame system used on the Vecta mid-size bus body, and the styling closely resembled the Vecta, albeit in longer form. Options included guide wheels for use on a guided busway, dual door configuration as well as a centre offside door for use on airport bus services.

The Sigma had a low entrance step height of 314 millimetres (12.4 in), with a second step taking passengers into a seating compartment with capacity for up to 51 seated passengers; the Sigma's seats were mounted on tracking floor rails, allowing for seating to configured to the individual needs of operators. Other interior features included options for luggage racks and air conditioning, as well as tinted side and rear windows.

Operators

Compared to the Vecta, a significantly smaller number of Optare Sigmas were produced. Only three operators bought the Sigma in large batches: the largest was Brighton & Hove, who took delivery of 20 Sigmas in 1996, while Trent Buses additionally took delivery of 17 Sigmas in late 1995. Gateshead & District took delivery of 14 Sigmas in 1994 for use on services in Bishop Auckland competing with local independent OK Motor Services.

Two other operators purchased single a Sigmas each. These were Ipswich Buses, who took delivery of the first production Sigma in 1994, the only Sigma built to dual-door configuration, and Busways Travel Services, who took delivery of a Sigma later in 1994 for use on a Newcastle upon Tyne to Gateshead MetroCentre shuttle service.

References

1. ^ Cole, Martin (15 April 1994). "Vehicle launch: Optare Sigma Dennis Lance". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 251. Spalding. p. 40. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
2. ^ "Daughters of Delta". Buses. No. 690. Stamford: Key Publishing. September 2012. p. 38-40.
3. "DAF - Life after United". Buses. No. 467. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. February 1994. p. 9.
4. Jones, Stewart (3 May 1996). "Excel - Optare's low floor takes to the road". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 356. Spalding: Glen-Holland Limited. pp. 9–13. Among recent deliveries have been seven Deltas to Reading Buses, eight Vectas to Westlink, Prismas to Grampian and Rhondda, and Sigmas to Trent and the Brighton & Hove subsidiary of the Go Ahead group which is in the process of taking a batch of 20.
5. Jenkison, Keith (2020). The History of Optare. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1445696942.
6. Jarosz, Andrew (20 August 1994). "GAG and OK signal Auckland war end". Coach & Bus Week. No. 130. Peterborough: Emap. p. 4. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
7. "First Lances". Coach & Bus Week. No. 109. Peterborough: Emap. 26 March 1994. p. 11. Retrieved 27 July 2024.

External links

Media related to Optare Sigma at Wikimedia Commons

• Switch Mobility buses
• Vehicles introduced in 1994