View source for Optare Excel

{{Short description|Low-floor integral single-deck bus}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox UK Bus
|name             = Optare Excel<br>NABI 700SE
|image            = Blackpool Transport 226 T936EAN (8803723026).jpg
|caption          = [[Blackpool Transport]] Optare Excel in [[Blackpool]] in May 2013
|manufacturer     = [[Optare]]
|assembly         = [[Cross Gates]], [[Leeds]], [[West Yorkshire]]
|designer         = Capoco Design
|production       = 1995-2004
|length           = {{ubl|{{convert|9.6|m|abbr=on}}|{{convert|10|m|abbr=on}}|{{convert|10.7|m|abbr=on}}|{{convert|11.5|m|abbr=on}}|{{convert|11.8|m|abbr=on}}}}
|width            = {{convert|2.5|m|abbr=on}}
|height           = {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}}
|weight           = {{convert|8,560|kg|abbr=on}}
|floortype        = Low floor<br>Step-entrance (NABI 700SE)
|doors            = 1 or 2
|capacity         = 27-48 seated, 16-22 standing
|engine           = [[Cummins B Series engine|Cummins 6BT]]<br>[[Mercedes-Benz OM906 engine|Mercedes-Benz OM906LA]]
|powerout         = {{convert|160|bhp|abbr=on}}<ref name="Specs">{{cite magazine |last=Morgan |first=Mike |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue216/page/n27/mode/1up |date=4 May 1996 |title=Driving is believing |magazine=[[Coach & Bus Week]] |issue=216 |pages=26–28 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>
|transmission     = [[Allison Bus Series|Allison 'World Series' B300R]]
|predecessor      = [[Optare Delta]]<br>[[Optare Sigma]]
|successor        = [[Optare Tempo]]
}}
The '''Optare Excel''' is a [[Low-floor bus|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 fully low-floor single-deck buses in the United Kingdom, replacing the [[high-floor|step-entrance]] [[Optare Sigma]] on [[Dennis Lance]] chassis. 

==Design==
Launched in October 1995, the Optare Excel was the manufacturer's first full-size low-floor [[city bus]], built with aluminium and fibreglass panels over a steel frame as opposed to previous Optare products using the [[Alusuisse]] system, and featured distinctive Capoco Design styling. Most notably, early Excels included a simple flat panel with embossed Optare lettering set between two pairs of twin headlamps, which was situated below a very large one-piece curved windscreen. Power came from a [[Cummins]] 6BT 6-cylinder [[turbo-diesel]] engine capable of producing {{convert|160|bhp}}, which was mated with a [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] 'World Series' B300R automatic transmission.<ref name="ExcelLaunch">{{cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Mark |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue189/page/n11/mode/2up |date=14 October 1995 |title=Orders come in for Optare's first integral lowfloor citybus |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=189 |pages=12–13 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>

The Excel featured a {{convert|320|mm}} low step at the entrance door, capable of being lowered to {{convert|240|mm}} at the kerbside via the 'kneeling' function of the integrally-built chassis, and the Excel's interior featured a fully-flat floor up to the rear axle, where two steps led to raised rear seats. Built to {{convert|9.6|m}}, {{convert|10|m}}, {{convert|10.7|m}}, {{convert|11.5|m}} and {{convert|11.8|m}} lengths, passenger-carrying capacity ranged from between 36 seated and 16 standing to 48 seated and 22 standing.<ref name="ExcelLaunch" />

===Excel 2===
[[File:Optare Excel 35001, Claycross.jpg|thumb|left|[[Stagecoach in Chesterfield]] Optare Excel 2 in [[Clay Cross]] in March 2009]]
The Excel was updated in 1999, with the front similar to that of the [[Optare Solo]] and with round headlights, two less rear lights, and a repositioned fuel-filler cap. A [[Mercedes-Benz buses|Mercedes-Benz]] OM906LA engine was also made available as an option alongside the standard Cummins 6BT.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

This updated Excel was known as the Excel 2, which replaced the [[Optare Delta|Delta]] which by then had finished production. The original Excel was still sold alongside the Excel 2 until it was discontinued by Optare in late 2000. Excel 2s were only built in {{convert|10.7|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|11.5|m|abbr=on}} and {{convert|11.8|m|abbr=on}} configurations. 

The Excel 2 was itself replaced by the [[Optare Tempo]] upon its launch in October 2004.

==Operators==
[[File:Trent Barton bus 207 (V207ENU), 29 December 2004 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Trentbarton]] ''Skyline'' branded Optare Excel in [[Stockport]] in December 2004]]
The first eight production Excels began to be delivered to [[Blackpool Transport]] in May 1996,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Morgan |first=Mike |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue216/page/n10/mode/1up |date=4 May 1996 |title=Going low-floor beside the sea |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=216 |page=11 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> with orders following from [[Nottingham City Transport]] and [[Reading Buses]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First Excels for Nottingham |date=25 October 1996 |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=281 |page=4 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}}</ref><ref name="ExcelFeature">{{cite magazine |last=Jones|first=Stuart |title=Excel - Optare's low floor takes to the road |date=3 May 1996 |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=356 |pages=9–13 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}}</ref> [[trentbarton|Trent Buses]] were the overall largest operator of Excels and Excel 2s, ordering a total of 112 of the type from 1998 to 2001.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jenkinson |first=Keith A. |date=15 August 2020 |title=The History of Optare |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DFf9DwAAQBAJ |location=Stroud |publisher=Amberley Publishing |page=<!--Not stated-->|isbn=978-1-4456-9695-9 |access-date=27 December 2021}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=November 2024}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Trent dual sourcing |date=13 April 1996 |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=213 |page=4 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap}}</ref>

Another major operator of Excels were Reading Buses, who after taking delivery of their first seven in 1997, purchased a further 45 Excels and Excel 2s between 1997 and 2002. Thirty-five Excels were also delivered to [[Travel West Midlands]] for use in [[Wolverhampton]] in early 1999,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jarosz |first=Andrew |url=https://archive.org/details/coach-bus-week-8-january-1998-issue-302/page/4/mode/2up |date=8 January 1998 |title=TWM orders 100 more lowfloors |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=302 |pages=4–5 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024 |quote=The company will also be purchasing its first Optare Excels for Black Country operations, with an initial 35 being introduced into Wolverhampton, where they will replace some double deckers.}}</ref> while [[East Yorkshire Motor Services]] purchased a total of 24 Excels between 1996 and 1999 for services in [[Kingston upon Hull]] and [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Stuart |url=https://archive.org/details/buscoachbuyer-issue390/page/13/mode/1up |date=3 January 1997 |title=Excels for East Yorkshire |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=390 |page=13 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Ltd |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jarosz |first=Andrew |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue299/page/8/mode/1up |date=11 December 1997 |title=EYMS backs Yorkshire to tune of £2m |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=299 |page=8 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>

Sixteen Excel 2s were purchased by the [[Stagecoach Group]] in 2001 for operation in [[Worksop]] with their [[Stagecoach East Midlands|East Midlands]] subsidiary,<ref>{{cite magazine | author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Stagecoach orders Optare buses |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=73ZUAAAAMAAJ |magazine=Mass Transit |issue=27 |page=56 |location=University of Michigan |publisher=PTN Publishing Company |date=2001 |access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref> Fifteen Excels were delivered to [[Cardiff Bus]] between October and November 1997,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue294/page/29/mode/1up |date=6 November 1997 |title=Excel represents quality |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=294 |page=29 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> ten were delivered to [[First Leicester]] in 1997,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cole |first=Martin |url=https://archive.org/details/buscoachbuyer-issue422/page/18/mode/2up |title=Public reaction to the new FirstBus standard |date=15 August 1997 |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=422 |pages=18–19 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> while [[Go North East]] also purchased numerous examples.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lyons|first=Mark|title=The Go-Ahead Group: The First 25 Years |chapter=Go-Ahead Northern becomes Go-Ahead Group |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2_1zEAAAQBAJ |access-date=17 November 2024 |date=30 June 2022|location=Stamford |publisher=[[Key Publishing]]|isbn=978-1-80282-082-9|page=19}}</ref>

In London, [[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]] took delivery of ten Excels during 1996.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/buscoachbuyer-issue345/page/9/mode/1up |title=Metrobus lowfloor Excels in 1996 vehicle orders |date=16 February 1996 |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=345 |page=9 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> with [[London United Busways|London United]] also purchasing six Excels in 1997, initially branded for use on route 371.<ref>{{cite book |last=Beddall |first=David |date=15 November 2020 |title=London's Low-floor Buses |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n1wuEAAAQBAJ |location=Stroud |publisher=Amberley Publishing |page=<!--Not stated-->|isbn=978-1-3981-0120-3|access-date=27 December 2021}}</ref>{{Page needed|reason=eBook does not list page numbers. |date=December 2021}} Other London operators included [[Travel London]] and [[Thorpes]], the latter purchasing four Excels for operation on the wheelchair-friendly [[Stationlink (London Buses)|Stationlink]] service,<ref name="ExcelFeature" /> while smaller operators included Springfield Coaches of [[Wigan]], who took delivery of three for use on [[Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive|Greater Manchester PTE]]-contracted 'Easylink' service 603, running between [[Billinge Higher End]] and [[Platt Bridge]], in 1997,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue278/page/5/mode/1up |date=19 July 1997 |title=Access contract is won by Springfield |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=278 |page=5 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> and Swanbrook Transport, who took delivery of three between October 1997 and February 1998 for use on the '[[Cheltenham]] Flyer' [[park and ride]] service.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/cbw-issue294/page/5/mode/1up |date=6 November 1997 |title=Swanbrook's park and ride |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=294 |page=5 |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>

===Exports===
[[File:NABI-Optare 700 SE.jpg|thumb|Kapos Volán [[NABI]] 700SE [[right-hand drive]] Excel 2 in Hungary]]
Optare also built a small export market for the Excel in both Malta and Hungary. A single {{convert|10.6|m}} Excel was exported to Malta for use by the Supreme Travel Company as a low-floor demonstrator, with features for the Maltese bus market including the removal of the internal heating system, larger sliding windows, an uprated Cummins engine producing {{convert|215|bhp}} and an overall 45-seat capacity.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Optare in Maltese joint venture |date=27 September 1996 |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=377 |page=4 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Jones|first=Stuart |title=UK built low floor buses for overseas markets |date=7 March 1997 |magazine=Bus & Coach Buyer |issue=399 |page=17 |location=Spalding |publisher=Glen-Holland Limited}}</ref> 

In 2002, the Optare Excel 2 was rebadged by [[NABI]], Optare's parent company at the time, and launched as the NABI 700SE for the Hungarian market. The NABI 700SE was built to [[right-hand drive]] step-entrance configuration, with options for either two or three entrance and exit doors, and capable of carrying up to 85 passengers. The first four 700SEs entered service in [[Kaposvar]] with the Kaposvar Transit Company in August 2002.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cbwnet.co.uk/editorial/psvnews.asp?s=ed&ss=psvn&article_id=4793 |date=20 June 2002 |title=Excel goes to Budapest |magazine=Coach & Bus Week |issue=530 |page= |location=Peterborough |publisher=Emap |access-date=14 July 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020918075817/http://www.cbwnet.co.uk/editorial/psvnews.asp?s=ed&ss=psvn&article_id=4793 |archive-date=18 September 2002}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}

{{Optare timeline}}

[[Category:Low-floor buses]]
[[Category:Midibuses]]
[[Category:Switch Mobility buses|Excel]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1996]]