Optare Versa   

30128-30/2-6

During 2011, Rotala successfully secured Government Green Bus Funding for the purchase of 15 hybrid single-deck buses for use on the Bath Park & Ride network, which the company was operating at the time. Unfortunately, the Park & Ride contract was lost during the subsequent retendering process. Despite this, following negotiations with the Government, Rotala was permitted to retain the funding and proceed with the vehicle purchase. The order comprised 15 Optare Versa Hybrid vehicles. Seven were allocated to the company's Preston operation, while the remaining eight joined the West Midlands fleet. Ironically, the West Midlands vehicles had originally been intended for operation on the 57 and 58 services in Redditch. However, agreement could not be reached with Worcestershire County Council to provide the additional funding required to support their operation. As a result, the vehicles instead entered service on the 56 route between Birmingham City Centre and Brownhills. The Versa Hybrids soon proved to be too small for the heavy passenger loadings on the 56, and they were subsequently transferred to the 16 service between Birmingham City Centre and Hamstead, where their capacity was better suited to the route. Following the retendering of the Signature network in Solihull by Centro during the summer of 2013, it was agreed that a number of the hybrid vehicles would be allocated to those services in return for the award of a five-year operating contract. Two of the buses were also used on the X30 service in Coventry. Like many operators of first-generation hybrid buses, Rotala found that the Optare Versa Hybrids failed to achieve the fuel savings claimed by the manufacturer. In addition, the hybrid technology proved complex and expensive to maintain. Consequently, when the initial lease agreements expired, Rotala decided not to renew them and the vehicles were withdrawn from service.

Registration Number Fleet Number Vehicle Chassis Body Work Seating Capacity Allocation
YJ12GUE 30128 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320435 Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GTY 30129 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320430 Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GTZ 30130 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320431 Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GUC 30132 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320433Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GUD 30133 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320434 Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GUF 30134 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320436Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GUG 30135 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320437Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17
YJ12GUH 30136 Optare Versa V1100H SABWWYSCHCS320438Optare B36F Withdrawn  2/17

30404/5

The continued expansion of the Signature bus network operated by Rotala on behalf of Centro in 2011 created a requirement for larger vehicles on Service 30 between Acocks Green and Solihull. To meet this need, two new Optare Versa single-deck buses, YJ61 CHH and YJ61 CHK, were added to the fleet. The vehicles were delivered in the distinctive full Signature livery and were built to the high specification associated with the network, providing a more comfortable environment for passengers than the standard Diamond Bus fleet. Following a fleet reorganisation, both vehicles were transferred to Diamond Bus North West in July 2019. Shortly after their arrival they were repainted from Signature colours into the brighter standard Diamond Bus livery, continuing their service with the company's North West operations.

Registration Number Fleet Number Vehicle Chassis Seating Capacity Allocation
YJ61CHH 30404 Optare Versa SABWW3AC0BL320422   B37F Transferred to Diamond NW 7/19 Withdrawn 4/24 sold to First Choice 4/24
YJ61CHK 30405 Optare Versa SABWW3AC0BL320423 B37F Transferred to Diamond NW 7/19

30414-6

On 24 April 2022, Rotala acquired the operations of Claribel Coaches, bringing three further Optare Versa vehicles into the Diamond Bus fleet. The buses had been supplied new to Claribel in 2013 and had spent most of their working lives operating school services on behalf of Solihull Council. Towards the end of their time with Claribel, the vehicles also saw occasional use on local bus services after the company successfully secured a number of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) contracts in the Sutton Coldfield area. To enable them to operate these services, the buses, along with the rest of the Claribel fleet, were upgraded to Euro VI emissions standards using funding provided through a TfWM-backed government clean air initiative. The Euro VI conversion made the vehicles particularly valuable to Diamond Bus following the acquisition. Rather than being disposed of, they were retained to strengthen the company's pool of low-emission vehicles available for operation on routes requiring Euro VI-compliant buses.

Registration Number Fleet Number Vehicle Chassis Body Work Seating Capacity Allocation
YJ13HJD 30414 Optare Versa SABYW4AB0DS320572  Optare B38F Kidderminster
YJ13HJC 30415 Optare Versa SABYW4AB0DS320556 Optare B38F Tividale
YJ13HJE 30416 Optare Versa SABYW4AB0DS320573  Optare B37F Tividale

30910 & 30912

As part of the acquisition of Midland Classic, two Optare Versa single-deck vehicles joined the Diamond Bus fleet. Both buses had previously been acquired second-hand by Midland Classic from other operators before becoming part of the Rotala fleet. The first vehicle entered the Diamond Bus fleet as 30910. It was originally delivered new to Ipswich Buses in 2008 as fleet number 145, carrying the registration YK08 EPA. After its acquisition by Midland Classic, it became fleet number 20 and was re-registered as JB08 MCL, using a cherished registration transferred from a Scania single-deck bus that was leaving the fleet. The vehicle retained this registration when it entered the Diamond Bus fleet. The second vehicle became 30912 in the Diamond Bus fleet and carries the registration NK09 FVE. It was supplied new in 2009 to the Go-Ahead Group for use with its Northern operation before later being acquired second-hand by Midland Classic. It subsequently transferred to Diamond Bus as part of the Midland Classic takeover.

Registration Number Fleet Number Vehicle Chassis Seating Capacity Allocation
JB08MCL 30910 Optare Versa SABWWMAC08L320077 B38F Withdrawn 9/24 Sold to Willnehall Commercials  for scrap 4/25
NK09FVE 30912 Optare Versa SABWWJAC09L320256 B40F Withdrawn 07/24 Sold to Wigleys for scrap 9/24

30967-70

Vehicles 30967–30970 were originally supplied new to Burnley & Pendle in 2008 as part of a 19-vehicle order delivered during January and February of that year. The batch was numbered 251–269, with the four vehicles that eventually joined the Diamond Bus fleet originally carrying fleet numbers 256, 259, 260 and 261 respectively. In December 2014, the four buses were acquired by Central Buses following an extensive refurbishment. They were purchased as a cost-effective alternative to buying new vehicles and went on to provide several years of reliable service with the operator. The vehicles became part of the Diamond Bus fleet on 25 February 2018 as part of Rotala's acquisition of Central Buses. Initially, they continued to operate in their Central Buses livery, with only Diamond Bus fleet names applied. They remained in this condition for several months before eventually being repainted into the brighter standard Diamond Bus livery.

Registration Number Fleet Number Vehicle Chassis Seating Capacity Allocation
YJ57XVT 30967 Optare Versa SABWWJAD07L320039  B37F Withdrawn 24/5/24 Sold to Wigleys for scrap 9/24
YJ57XVW 30968 Optare Versa SABWWJAD07L320042 B37F Withdrawn 09/23 Sold to Wigleys for scrap 12/23
YJ57XVX 30969 Optare Versa SABWWJAD07L320044 B37F Withdrawn 07/24 Sold to Wigleys for scrap 9/24
YJ57XVY 30970 Optare Versa SABWWJAD07L320045 B37F Withdrawn 31/5/23