![Interior of FD54JYB](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Interior_of_FD54JYB.jpg)
The Optare Tempo is an integral
low-floor
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" (i. ...
, full-size
rigid single-deck bus
A single-decker bus or single-decker is a bus that has a single deck for passengers. Normally the use of the term ''single-decker'' refers to a standard two-axled rigid bus, in direct contrast to the use of the term double-decker bus, which i ...
manufactured by
Optare
Switch Mobility (originally called Optare) is an English bus manufacturer based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. It is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland. The company would be responsible for the EV operations of the group with ...
and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the
Optare Excel
The Optare Excel was a low-floor full-size single-decker bus manufactured by Optare. Manufactured as an integral bus, the Excel was launched in 1995 as one of the first low floor single-deck vehicles, replacing the step-entrance Optare Sigma. T ...
. It is designed as a lightweight bus, to use less fuel than traditional heavy duty integral rigids. As of July 2017, 233 had been built, including 27 Tempo SRs.
[Optare Tempo]
Bus Lists on the Web The Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the
Optare MetroCity
The Optare MetroCity is an integral midibus manufactured by Optare since 2013. Originally aimed at the London market, the MetroCity is based on the Optare Versa which was introduced in 2009. In the UK market, longer variants of the MetroCity h ...
, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.
Tempo
![Transdev Yellow Buses 12 rear 2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Transdev_Yellow_Buses_12_rear_2.JPG)
The Optare Tempo was launched in October 2004 after the building of two pre-production prototypes (both of which saw use as demonstrators and still exist
), one an example of the longest available (12.6 meters), the other an example of the shortest (10.6 meters), with the first production example (12.0 metres) delivered to
Trentbarton
Trentbarton operates both local and regional bus services in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, England. It is a subsidiary of the Wellglade Group.
History
In October 1913, Trent Motor Traction Company was foun ...
in February 2005. It came in four different lengths: 10.6 (x1060), 11.3 (x1130), 12.0 (x1200) and 12.6 (x1260) metres and it has a raised roofline in the middle continuously to the rear roof spoiler instead of an arched top. Tempos were to be built in Optare's
Cross Gates
Cross Gates (often spelled Crossgates) is a suburb in east Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
The area sits between Seacroft and Swarcliffe to the north, Whitkirk and Colton to the south, Killingbeck to the west and Austhorpe to the south ea ...
,
Leeds
Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by populati ...
factory
[Optare's Tempo single-deck unveiled]
''Bus & Coach Professional'' 30 September 2004 (since relocated).
Optare constructed the Tempo as an all welded heavy-duty box section integral from
stainless and
carbon steel
Carbon steel is a steel with carbon content from about 0.05 up to 2.1 percent by weight. The definition of carbon steel from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) states:
* no minimum content is specified or required for chromium, cobalt ...
dressed in a mix of
GFRP (fibreglass) and
aluminium
Aluminium (aluminum in American and Canadian English) is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. I ...
modular exterior panels, integrating easy maintenance features like swing out headlamp clusters and multiple
LED lamps. Key mechanical services are installed on a demountable frame, connected with "no-loss" couplings.
Detailed analysis and computer modelling of the design and any impacts of stresses it would see in service were undertaken by
finite element analysis
The finite element method (FEM) is a popular method for numerically solving differential equations arising in engineering and mathematical modeling. Typical problem areas of interest include the traditional fields of structural analysis, heat ...
firm ''Analysis by Firth'', based in Wigan, UK. The resulting bus underwent testing at the
Millbrook Proving Ground
Millbrook Proving Ground is an English vehicle testing centre located at Millbrook, Bedfordshire. One of the largest vehicle testing centres in Europe, it is near to the M1 and Bedford.
History
Modelled on the Milford Proving Ground operated by ...
.
[
Achieving interior space comparable to buses 2.55 meters wide (at 2.5 meters wide), interior amenities offered included an optimised sound insulation package (Tempos were demonstrably up to 5]dB(a)
A-weighting is the most commonly used of a family of curves defined in the International standard IEC 61672:2003 and various national standards relating to the measurement of sound pressure level. A-weighting is applied to instrument-measured s ...
quieter at 40 mph than contemporary rivals), uplighting, cantilevered
A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end. Typically it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly attached. Like other structural elements, a cant ...
seating, luggage pens, tinted single or double glazing, parcel racks, tables, climate control, power outlets and AV systems amongst others. Tempo cabs include a steering column with telescopic tilt and reach and later Optare's computerised 'eco drive' gauge pod with TFT. Designed and constructed by Actia (aiding Optare's electrical systems development since 1997), the revised dashboard incorporates telematics
Telematics is an interdisciplinary field encompassing telecommunications, vehicular technologies ( road transport, road safety, etc.), electrical engineering (sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications, etc.), and computer science (multimedi ...
analysis with the ability to alert both the driver and operator in realtime (latter over the internet) to fuel consumption, maintenance issues and driving style.
It was originally powered by a Euro III Mercedes-Benz OM906LA engine (upgraded to Euro IV
The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards for pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and EEA member states and the UK, and ships in EU waters. The standards are defined in a seri ...
compliance with Adblue & Euro V
The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards for pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and EEA member states and the UK, and ships in EU waters. The standards are defined in a seri ...
compliance with SCR technology),[ with a Euro IV ]MAN
A man is an adult male human. Prior to adulthood, a male human is referred to as a boy (a male child or adolescent). Like most other male mammals, a man's genome usually inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromo ...
D0836 EGR engine option later introduced (both 6 cylinder), coupled to an ZF ZF6HP500 Ecomat 2 six-speed automatic transmission as standard or optionally an Allison
Allison may refer to:
People
* Allison (given name)
* Allison (surname) (includes a list of people with this name)
* Eugene Allison Smith (1922-1980), American politician and farmer
Companies
* Allison Engine Company, American aircraft engine ...
T310R five-speed automatic transmission. Its rear Rába
The Rába (german: Raab; hu, Rába; sl, Raba ) is a river in southeastern Austria and western Hungary and a right tributary of the Danube.
Geography
Its source is in Austria, some kilometres east of Bruck an der Mur below Heubodenhöhe Hill. ...
drive axle was engineered to be smoother and quieter, with 4 air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an electric or engine-driven air pump or compressor. This compressor pumps the air into a flexible bellows, usually made from textile-reinforced rubber. Unlike hydropneumatic suspension, ...
bags at the rear and 2 at the front (with electronic kneeling capabilities). ZF 8098 steering gear is implemented through a MAN drop centre low-floor front axle. In 2007, a hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
version was introduced for London operators, utilising a "fully proven" and "fully reliable" Allison EP40 Parallel Hybrid
Hybrid vehicle drivetrains transmit power to the driving wheels for hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle has multiple forms of motive power.
Hybrids come in many configurations. For example, a hybrid may receive its energy by burning gasoline, but sw ...
drive system powered by removable NiMH batteries combined with a Cummins
Cummins Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products. Cummins also services engines and related equipment, including fuel systems, controls, air ...
250 hp ISBe Euro V
The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards for pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and EEA member states and the UK, and ships in EU waters. The standards are defined in a seri ...
SCR engine. This technology was integrated into ten 10.6 metre variants, which also featured TfL spec double doors, leaving space for 28 seats.[
The Optare Tempo has stopped production and was replaced with the Optare Tempo SR.
]
Tempo SR
In October 2011, a restyled version was launched as the Tempo SR,[Optare's new Tempo SR sets the standard for style, weight and fuel efficiency]
Optare 5 October 2011 borrowing from the Solo's naming convention. The Tempo SR came in three different lengths: 10.6, 11.3 and 12.0 metres and incorporated a Mercedes-Benz OM906L six-cylinder 210 kW (282 bhp) SCR engine, which continued to be housed on a removable cradle alongside the transmission[ (the MAN engine option being dropped). A notable reversal on the original design,] ZF's 6HP500* six-speed transmission could be specified as an alternative to the now standard Allison
Allison may refer to:
People
* Allison (given name)
* Allison (surname) (includes a list of people with this name)
* Eugene Allison Smith (1922-1980), American politician and farmer
Companies
* Allison Engine Company, American aircraft engine ...
T310R gearbox – both of which feature integral retarders.
Trentbarton
Trentbarton operates both local and regional bus services in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, England. It is a subsidiary of the Wellglade Group.
History
In October 1913, Trent Motor Traction Company was foun ...
, then having a long and close relationship with Optare, sparked the facelift of the Tempo to be "fundamentally different to anything else on the market". Between Trentbarton, transport design and branding agency Best Impressions (led by Ray Stenning) and Optare -featuring suggestions and ideas from Nottingham-area bus users- the Tempo SR was born.
The finalised bus was unveiled at Coach & Bus Live 2011, and marketed as "the new bus for Nottingham".[ Indeed, the vehicle exhibited wasn't a prototype or demonstrator but a to-spec, fully 'i4' liveried fleet member for Trent Barton. Stenning reflected that the design "has a natural flow and every line ada purpose" and it wasn't "tarting it up for the sake of it".][ The design reportedly drew on inspiration from Stenning's 'design heroes' Raymond Loewy and ]Pininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930.
On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...
, with close attention paid to details.[ Trentbarton would take delivery of thirteen examples between May and July 2012.
Despite Trentbarton proclaiming their redesign was "taking the transport industry by storm",][ the vehicle proved divisive. For instance, although the same framework underneath,][ and constructed using the same methods,][ (even sharing concurrent chassis numbers with the original][) operators contracted by the Welsh government continued to order the original Tempo even though the SR facelift had been out for over a year (albeit an order for a discontinued size, 12.60 meters).][ Following poor sales, the Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the ]Optare MetroCity
The Optare MetroCity is an integral midibus manufactured by Optare since 2013. Originally aimed at the London market, the MetroCity is based on the Optare Versa which was introduced in 2009. In the UK market, longer variants of the MetroCity h ...
. However, Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport is an international airport in Ringway, Manchester, England, south-west of Manchester city centre. In 2019, it was the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger numbers and the busiest of those n ...
took delivery of a further four Tempo SRs in May 2017 for use on airport car park shuttle bus operations; these buses came from an order intended for an Australian operator, which was cancelled. As of October 2018, Trent Barton has replaced all Tempo SRs with Alexander Dennis Enviro200
The Alexander Dennis Enviro200 (previously known as the TransBus Enviro200) is a midibus that was manufactured by TransBus International and later Alexander Dennis between 2003 and 2018. The original TransBus Enviro200 design was innovative but ...
MMCs, which is now operating the i4 service.
As of early 2019, municipal bus operator have purchased all 13 ex Trent Barton Optare Tempo SRs.
Operators
United Kingdom
Arriva UK Bus
Arriva UK Bus is a major bus operator in the United Kingdom based in Sunderland, England. It is a subsidiary of Arriva which runs transport services across Europe, which has been a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn since 2010.
Arriva UK Bus operates ...
, First Cymru
First Cymru is an operator of bus services in South West Wales. It is a subsidiary of FirstGroup with its headquarters in Swansea.
History
In 1987, South Wales Transport was sold during the privatisation of the National Bus Company in a man ...
, RATP Group, Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group is a transport group based in Perth, Scotland. It operates buses, express coaches and a tram service in the United Kingdom.
History
Stagecoach was born out of deregulation of the British express coach market in the early ...
, Transdev
Transdev, formerly Veolia Transdev, is a French-based international private-sector company which operates public transport. It has operations in 17 countries and territories as of November 2020.
History
The group was formed by the merger of V ...
, Veolia Transport
Veolia Transport (formerly Connex and CGEA Transport) was the international transport services division of the French-based multinational company Veolia until the 2011 merger that gave rise to Veolia Transdev. Veolia Transport traded under the ...
and Wellglade Group
The Wellglade Group (WG), is a transport group operating bus and tram services in the English Midlands.
History
Wellglade was formed in 1986 when Brian King and Ian Morgan purchased Trent Buses from the National Bus Company in a managem ...
all have been purchasers of the original Tempo, not to mention several independent operators.[ It has been operated by Lynx, King's Lynn and Transport for London operators ]East London
East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from west and is the direction from which the Sun rises on the Earth.
Etymology
As in other languages, the word is formed from the f ...
, London United and Metroline
Metroline is a bus company operating services in Greater London and south Hertfordshire. It is a subsidiary of ComfortDelGro Corporation and operates services under contract to Transport for London. As at March 2021, the fleet consisted of 1,5 ...
.[ ]Trentbarton
Trentbarton operates both local and regional bus services in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, England. It is a subsidiary of the Wellglade Group.
History
In October 1913, Trent Motor Traction Company was foun ...
and Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport is an international airport in Ringway, Manchester, England, south-west of Manchester city centre. In 2019, it was the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger numbers and the busiest of those n ...
have both purchased a number of Tempo SRs, though are now their biggest UK operator, having taken on Trent Barton's fleet.
Additionally, Lynx
A lynx is a type of wild cat.
Lynx may also refer to:
Astronomy
* Lynx (constellation)
* Lynx (Chinese astronomy)
* Lynx X-ray Observatory, a NASA-funded mission concept for a next-generation X-ray space observatory
Places Canada
* Lynx, Ontar ...
are now the largest operators of the Tempo in the world, having purchased large numbers of vehicles second-hand.
Europe
One left hand drive Optare Tempo was exported to Kiel
Kiel () is the capital and most populous city in the northern Germany, German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 246,243 (2021).
Kiel lies approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the southeast of the J ...
, Germany in 2007, but it was taken out of service shortly afterwards.
Australia
In Australia, Tempos have been purchased by Carbridge and Park Ridge Transit.Park Ridge Transit
Australian Bus Fleet Lists
References
External links
*
{{Optare timeline
Low-floor buses
Full-size buses
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo (Italian, 'time'; plural ''tempos'', or ''tempi'' from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (often ...
Vehicles introduced in 2004