I Visit Optare (UK Bus Manufacturer Tour)

Join me The Flat Cap Bus Driver as I take you all on a tour of the Optare Bus Manufacturer. I was kindly invited to view the factory and meet the people behind the buses and see how they do it!
I couldn't turn that down could I, do I grabbed my camera and also borrowed @thatyorkshirebusdriver and off we went to have a nosey around the factory.
I hope you'll enjoy this video as I've really enjoyed making this!!
I’m now ON INSTAGRAM
@theflatcapbusdriver
As always thank you all so much for the support, if you haven’t already head over to my Instagram to keep up to date with all new content and my life!
If you haven’t already then please SUBSCRIBE and THUMBS UP this video!
/ theflatcapbusdriver
If you’re enjoying the bus driving videos then check out my bus driver friends below, I’m sure you’ll love them🚌
1) That Yorkshire Bus Driver 👌🏻👌🏻
/ thatyorkshirebusdriver
2) Double Decker Anton
/ @doubledeckeranton
3) Mancbuses
/ jorash123
4) Busdriverjonny
/ class390rocks
5) Single Decker Michael
/ @singledeckermichael8608
m
6) London Decker
/ @deckerlondon
Special Mention.
A big thank you to Shaun (That Yorkshire Bus Driver) for coming with me along my journey and helping me with the camera skills! Couldn't have done it without you mate.
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[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Don’t Forget to FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM, to stay updated with all the latest info and news!! @theflatcapbusdriver

[@calvmatthews9064]

Are Yorkshire Tiger getting any new buses as I did see some in town on Sunday?

[@aaroninnes9956]

Hi Shaun how are u i am a fan of your videos

[@matthammond14]

Could you please, please tell me what the curb weight of these optares are, I have searched the Internet with a fine tooth comb but can't fine the information I need.. I'm licenced to drive 7.5t and the plan is to convert one to a motor home... Any information will be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time..

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Great 'tour' of the Optare factory! 😁👍

[@harryatherton8428]

Cant wait to have u bk filming again doubledeckeranton

[@EnviroExplorer]

ADL should invite you round their factory to see the London Buses you drive being built Anton 😉

[@MrSupersheep3000]

Next time you're back up norff you'll have to get with Shaun and have a meet up! Would love to buy you a pint! Hope you're having a nice break from KZbin! We'll always be here when/if you decide to come back.

[@neilburns8869]

I had heard somewhere before that the Optare buses were handcrafted but by viewing this video now I can see for sure. And in my opinion the fact that they are handcrafted just adds to the value. It's great to see a British company like this thriving, especially North of Birmingham and London.

[@Tempestelterna]

For a person who likes to watch how things are made, this is making me really happy 😊

[@Tempestelterna]

Thanks for liking my comment :) love your channel ! As an IT guy, what you do is worlds apart from what I do :)

[@1mgvideo]

A very professional video, Shaun. Interesting to be shown around the plant which normally wouldn't be possible. I think Optare buses are just great.

[@icewizzard666]

Great vid - love seeing how things are made etc

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Really glad you enjoyed this video :) I've some more great things planned!

[@johanwagenaar9967]

Well done! This channel is becoming more and more professional. We passengers never see what is inside a bus. Every small part of every bus is designed and tells a storey. You can make endless videos about it!

[@MRclassrailfanMG]

WOW Soooooooooooooooo COOL!!!,!🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@BusAmbassador]

WoW - what a fantastic in-depth look behind the scenes at Optare!

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Something a bit different 🚌🚌

[@nathanjackson1564]

The 51 plates and the 02 plates first oldham had were the best 😉

[@mikebooth6007]

That optare SR you were looking around is one of our Lizard optares in Cornwall. One that I drive daily.

[@centraltransportproductions]

Cool video! No matter which Town I go to an Optate Bus shows up lol

[@FCUtdWill]

Great video as always Shaun, keep up the great work mate! Brilliant to see behind the scenes!

[@matthewheaney203]

This is brilliant Shaun! Your videos are just getting better and better mate!

[@adam70023]

Wow very interesting video and very well put together. I love this channel.

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Thankyou very much! Really appreciate the feedback, glad you like my channel!

[@declanmitchell9]

A different angle from the bus driver KZbin channels, thinking outside the box, was very good and something different to see. Would be interesting to see if you could get into a double decker workshop

[@StagecoachMANALX300]

WOW! Thanks for that Shaun, a very educational tour.

[@RiaLunnPhotography]

Yet again another awesome video thank you

[@zachlee8479]

Another amazing video Shaun, well done!!!!!!

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Thanks mate! Glad you liked the video, something a bit different.

[@zachlee8479]

@@TheFlatCapBusDriver yes definitely

[@plasmauktransport1657]

Nice video Shaun! Optare seems very interesting

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Thankyou! It was a great day out mate, really good to see how everything is done!

[@lewisrichards4156]

I love to visit there at some point

[@CallumMoorhouse1]

Amazing video mate, great tour of the factory and very professionally filmed and edited!

[@BusesInLondon]

Nice tour!

[@drummingriffin]

Very informative Shaun, thank you. Norm.

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Something a bit different

[@drummingriffin]

@@TheFlatCapBusDriver Well, I'd forgotten about this video. I actually went to work there in August 2020 until I retired from working life in 2021. Some lovely people work there Shaun, plenty of workplace banter too, loads of fun with the lads who made my days there happy. And of course, my own colleagues who were just out of this world. Stay safe mate, hope you and your family are doing well. Norm.

[@kevinbrigden6276]

Nice video Shaun. Was good to meet you and Chloe today even if it was through the fence. I was the one at the depot with Damien this afternoon. 👍👍

[@TheTransportHub17]

Great video Shaun and it looks great there.

[@stevenboyd6196]

Absoultely superb video

[@stephenhyland4256]

Look like nice new buses

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

They were great! 🚌

[@toxigames]

My grandad worked at the Optare factory when it was on Manson lane in Leeds

[@Tempestelterna]

This videos feels like it’s one big ad for Optare 😂 not that I’m complaining! You do a great job selling it to me 😆

[@RWL2012]

OK, THIS is the video that has made me subscribe to you!!!

[@radiogalway1636]

Is there a USB charger port in the drivers cab?

[@MaidaValeTom]

That one you had a look inside was for Kernow!

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Very enjoyable. So what I want to know now is when is Shaun buying is own Optare, and will the front dome have a bus-size flat-hat on it? 🤗

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Glad you liked the video! I won’t be buying one just yet! Don’t think the mrs would be happy with it in the front garden lol

[@calvmatthews9064]

@@TheFlatCapBusDriver Hello I waved at you today on Golcar we met each other in Solo's I was sat near the back of the bus and you came round the corner by the sports centre nice too see you in your flatcap. :)

[@sarahsrandomvideos6965]

Epic video as always Shaun. Hope you ok & had a good weekend 🚌😃

[@204driver]

Great video!

[@firecreepergaming]

Question - the optare you did the cab and interior tour of was its for first kernow and was the exterior green or turquoise as it looks nearly 100% identical to there specs

[@TakeoverPodcast1]

The 68 solo you were on are like the 63 plate ones go north easg have

[@WilliamsBenBear]

Wonder if there our new traws cymru optares up the back at 3.50 in

[@neilburns8869]

I must admit that I had absolutely no idea that Optare actually made any double deckers😱👍👏

[@1mgvideo]

They made the Spectra and Olympus before the MetroDecker. Double deckers have not sold in such large numbers as the single deckers and midibuses which is a shame.

[@harryholmes2289]

really liked this video you should do some more on other bus manufacturers

[@seb1things1]

Man I want to go there to. Amazing.

[@jethrobanzouzi1884]

Very informative but interesting at the same time well done Shaun😁 What is your favourite bus manufacturer?

[@MervynPartin]

That was a very interesting tour. 2 questions- Where are the engines made? Also, mention was made of electric buses. Any info on them?

[@lloydcorbett282]

Can you do a pov cab footage of you driving the plaxton centro when you are driving it please.

[@Fieldsonyoutube]

Gotta have them cup and sandwich holders, now for Mcdonalds/burgerking to improve hight restrictions so the busses can go round the drivethrough

[@mrender666]

And make corners reasonably wide, as I've seen a bus get stuck due to length!

[@wessexbuses2226]

Great Video shaun

[@llywelyngriffithsbusvidoes9909]

Nice Video I Like The MetroCitys

[@bigbadbacon2325]

Wooooooooo. The Company I work for. No names mentioned. Need new buses. As we drive old scrap heaps LOL 😂

[@jamesadlam9875]

Some of the tunes you use in your videos are the same non-copyright music that my teenage daughter used to use in her gymnastics and acting videos 😁

[@aidenjackson5466]

1:52 is my dad

[@NSE465]

What's the intro music called?

[@dannybayley5774]

Hi I’m currently in training to become a bus driver and the thing that worries me the most is remembering the routes have you got any tips?

[@latasen2671]

How to join this huge Brand ?? From India .. Love it OPTARE

[@cambriatransport6420]

Don't know if you have any idea byt do you know who the green and white MetroCities are for? Obviously the livery is TrawsCymru, however I have not heard of any new orders for MetroCities in the TC brand?

[@RWL2012]

possibly Lloyds for the T12...?

[@cambriatransport6420]

@@RWL2012 We'll have to wait and see.

[@twcars9126]

I believe that that bus, along with two others have been delivered to Tanat Valley in rural Powys to operate the T13 service

[@cambriatransport6420]

@@twcars9126 That they have. All three operate out of Machynlleth on the T12 service connecting with the T2 as a Cyswllt TrawsCymru/ TrawsCymru Connect service

[@terry141186]

I visited the ADL factory last year was very interesting. This was cool to see but sorry when I say this as a driver Optares are absolute bags of spanners. I hate driving them. Thankfully as I have now joined a late late rota for the company I work for I drive double deckers only which is usually either Scania N250UD Chassis Enviro 400 Gas buses (gives you a hint of who I work for) Scania N230UD ADL E400s and Scania Omnidekkas.

[@grahamhardyvanlife5704]

How much weight will that carry?

[@tjcolhoun01]

Believe it or not some of optares exhaust systems are worth up to 12 grand

[@shreetammazumder1161]

Well proud to be an Indian 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 As the the the company is a subsidiary of Indian company Ashok Leyland.

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Still English manufactured though 😉 it’s got a great English heritage

[@jaggass]

I think except the Optare bodied Olympian and the DAF DB250 they are all integral

[@thefullenergychannel2879]

I'm a trainee bus driver and I was told drinking is not allowed in the drivers cabin

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

It’s time they build three axles deckers and articulate buses for export markets

[@jackpicton9631]

Nice vid Shaun

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Glad you enjoyed it mate!

[@jackpicton9631]

The Flat Cap Bus Driver where is the factory based?

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

It’s in Leeds

[@AJAnewage]

I have an induction day soon with stagecoach, what would you suggest i wear? It says smart business like but what does that entail?

[@dantebingham6043]

Id say a shirt and tie with a pair of pants or something along those lines. Good luck on the day!!

[@AJAnewage]

@@dantebingham6043 think ill full suit n boot it, first impressions on actual first day working for them and what not

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Always dress to impress mate! Look smart and you’ll feel smart :) Ps a little bit of aftershave goes a long way ;)

[@AJAnewage]

@@TheFlatCapBusDriver haha thanks for the tip :D

[@leow_se]

I think some of them on the floor right now are the new Hong Kong mini buses

[@wessexbuses2226]

Hi Shaun when are you uploading next 🙂

[@stevereid8991]

I worked for stagecoach in Perth back in the early days when they had 15 drivers but back then they never had any service work, I remember when they started doing town services routes and the scrap we used to drive compared to these lovely machines shown in this video, I have many stories about the early days, here is a short one, if anyone remembers the old route master where you had driver and clippy well the bus driver sat in his cab with no contact with the passengers, just outside my cab there was a big window but on this bus there was no glass so in the cold wet mornings the passengers downs stairs would leave the bus cold and damp, in the summer time you would take the Berry pickers to farms in the morning then straight on to a service route, say what you want about Gloag and Souter but they knew how to make money out of nothing. I will stop rambling now 😂🤣😂🤣

[@morganjones2944]

I like Wright Pulsar 2’s the best

[@Brownchoppers]

great video personally optare buses are the worst to drive from my bus driving experience

[@Wetthewhistle]

Have to agree the cab of the solo hasn't changed since the 90's, facelift everything else and leave the poor driving position and stupidly large ancient iveco steering wheel

[@robhines4537]

Defo agree, we had 2 optare solos (56reg) bloody awful driving position , feel at home in an Enviro 200/400

[@rickykent4543]

Like driving a mobile greenhouse in the summer with all that glass at the front.

[@roberttucker805]

The Solo has to be the worst bus ever. They are ugly to look at and from a driver's point of view the cab is appallingly designed. Who in their right mind would put the entrance virtually behind the driver? The handling is atrocious, in fact I would say in certain conditions downright dangerous. There is absolutely nothing I can say good about them and I've been driving buses for 19 years. The best thing I can say about these piles of junk is that I rarely have to drive them these days. I would take a clapped out N registration plaxton bodied Dart low floor over one of these horrors any day!!

[@RWL2012]

@@roberttucker805 have any N reg Dart SLF Pointer 1s actually been DDA converted...? I'm curious

[@JeffreyOrnstein]

Very interesting! Too bad it’s only 9 minutes long.

[@TheFlatCapBusDriver]

Ill have to go back won't I ;)

[@neilburns8869]

To be honest I wouldn't be installing USB sockets for the simple reason they aren't really necessary and will just add to the overall cost of producing the vehicle especially now in 2022 when we have a cost of living crisis and a recession bigger than ever before for the best part of the next 2 years at least.

[@calumvintagebuscoachtrains6297]

Not as good Optare use to be as I have got an Optare Excel 2 FD02SFn ex Nottingham transport fleet (561) then redrose tranning(11) now my bus and channel Calum vintage bus & coach & train service rice fleet is (561/11)

[@jamesadlam9875]

Interesting video though it does come across as a bit of an advert

[@Turkiye958]

Volvo and Wright

[@emeraldzebra9360]

A right door Optare just seems wrong! All though I have seen them abroad. Also all this video and we don't even get to hear the famous Optare scream

[@roberttucker805]

I would rather drive an old plaxton bodied Dart low floor than one of optares piles of junk. The best thing for a Solo is a gallon of petrol and a box of matches!

[@flashfit332]

Great content but optares are heaps of junk man!

[@VictorianTransportSpotter]

Optare’s are great

[@aidenjackson5466]

Their really good

[@VictorianTransportSpotter]

Hot Potato they’re indeed

[@crazydogeROBLOXBuildingandGame]

They are better than Streetshites

[@jonsnell4751]

No wonder they all have ear defenders in, the noise from the 'music' playing is awful!

[@CosgroveNotts]

They rattle so much inside. Thumpy suspension. I used to assemble the engine and gearbox into a subframe 9 years ago.. Steady job and plenty of overtime. I like the product while I was there being fully qualified HGV mechanic. Then I went for a ride on a free town bus after I left just out of curiosity. I wasn't impressed with the ride at all.

[@paulconner115]

Looks like a fucking noddy bus

[@sameyers2670]

I'm not a fan of Optares, the Excels the company I drive for had were ghastly things, cheap and nasty, ugly, horrible to drive and bits fell off just by looking at them. Saying that some of the best buses we had were the Mercedes based Optare Prismas.

[@mclauc1999]

You say they are known for their "stylish design", but nothing about Optare's buses are stylish! Just take a look at the steering wheel and dashboard. They're very old fashioned looking, they don't look nice at all and they drive like old buses. Really not much of a fan of theirs.

[@jamesfrench7299]

Great. More horrid Solos on the roads.

[@allantoner8757]

AWFUL buses worst I've driven In 28 years cheap and nasty and if you like to breakdown a lot get 1

[@BusesinLondon345]

They’re not nearly half as bad as the Streetlites