Optare Tempo


The Optare Tempo is a full-size rigid single-deck bus manufactured by Optare and was launched in late 2004. It is marketed and sold as the replacement for the Optare Excel. 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. The Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity, although production of the Tempo SR continues for the Australian market.

Tempo

The Optare Tempo was launched in October 2004, with the first delivered to Trentbarton in February 2005. It came in four different lengths: 10.6, 11.3, 12.0 and 12.6 metres and it has a raised roofline in the middle continuously to the rear roof spoiler instead of an arched top.
It was originally powered by a Mercedes-Benz OM906LA engine, with a MAN D0836 engine option later introduced, coupled to an Allison or ZF automatic transmission. In 2007, a hybrid version was introduced for London operators. The Optare Tempo has stopped production and got replaced with the Optare Tempo SR.

Tempo SR

In October 2011, a restyled version was launched as the Tempo SR. The Tempo SR came in three different lengths: 10.6, 11.3 and 12.0 metres and incorporated a Mercedes-Benz OM906 six-cylinder 210 kW SCR engine. ZF 6HP500* six-speed transmission could be specified as an alternative to the standard Allison T310R gearbox – both of which feature integral retarders.
Trentbarton were announced as the launch customer for the Tempo SR, taking delivery of thirteen examples between May and July 2012. Following poor sales, the Tempo SR has now been replaced in the UK market by longer variants of the Optare MetroCity. However, Manchester Airport 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 SR's with Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC's, which is now operating the i4 service.
As of Early 2019, municipal bus operator Ipswich Buses have purchased all 13 ex Trent Barton Optare Tempo SR's.

Operators

United Kingdom

, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group, Stagecoach Group, Transdev Blazefield, Lynx and the Wellglade Group all have all been purchasers of the original Tempo. It has been operated by Transport for London operators East London, London United and Metroline. Trentbarton and Manchester Airport have both purchased a number of Tempo SRs.
Additionally, Lynx 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, Germany in 2007, but it was taken out of service shortly afterwards.

Australia

In Australia, Tempos have been purchased by Ventura Carbridge and Park Ridge Transit.

Gallery