For Immediate Release

For more information contact:
Steve Kratzer
Marketing and Business Development Representative
steve.kratzer@optimabus.com
316-779-7700 ext. 344

Optima Bus Corporation Receives First Order for Opus ISE Series Hybrid Low-floor Bus

Wichita, KS – May 16, 2006 – On April 28, 2006, Optima Bus Corporation was awarded its first contract for the Opus ISE Series Hybrid Low-floor Bus. This contract is valued at approximately $7.5 million.

The Town of Avon Transit, located in Avon, Colo., awarded Optima the contract that includes a base order of up to five Opus buses with an option for an additional 10 buses. The hybrid-electric Opus will be the first hybrid transit vehicle that this environmentally-friendly resort town has operated.

"Avon wants to be a leader in protecting the environment and lowering our dependence on fossil fuels. The series system has a significant weight savings and the maintenance costs will be lower," said Dan Higgins, Fleet Manager for the Town of Avon. "We currently have seven Opus buses in our fleet that have doing a great job for us. The public likes the look of the bus and the ease of loading and unloading of the low-floor design."

Optima's Opus ISE Series Hybrid Low-floor buses bring advanced technology to the under 30' Opus model, delivering powerful performance, fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance and increased ridership appeal all in one eye-catching package. Utilizing road-proven ISE-Siemens ThunderVolt hybrid technology built around Siemens ELFA motors, generators and inverters, the Opus ISE Series Hybrid uses a conventional internal combustion engine only to generate electricity.

"Optima Bus Corporation is committed to producing the highest quality and most innovative, technologically advanced under 30Õ and under 35Õ buses available in the transit industry," said Michael Monteferrante, Chief Executive Officer of Optima Bus Corporation. "This commitment to innovation and technology can be seen in the hybrid-electric Opus Low-floor Bus."

The hybrid-electric Opus will begin Altoona Bus Testing in June 2006. Production of the first hybrid-electric Opus buses for the Town of Avon Transit is expected to begin soon after the completion of Altoona Bus Testing.

Optima Bus Corporation "transit tough" products - the revolutionary-designed Opus low-floor bus and nostalgic American Heritage Streetcar - have lived-up to their reputations with more than 180 Optima customers across the United States. For more information about Optima Bus Corporation, the Opus low-floor bus, or the American Heritage Streetcar, contact Melissa Noftsger at (316) 779-7700 or visit www.optimabus.com.