For Immediate Release

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

Des Moines orders six more Opus low-floor buses from Optima;Louisville adds five American Heritage streetcars to its fleet

Wichita, KS – January 5, 2004 – Optima Bus Corporation announced today that the Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Authority (DMMTA) and the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), Louisville, KY plan to increase their current fleets of Optima vehicles by placing orders for additional units. When delivered, DMMTA's order of six under 30-ft. Opus buses will bring its fleet of the popular low-floor bus to ten, while TARC's order of five new American Heritage Streetcars will boost its fleet to 14.

With the addition of another six under 30-ft. units to its existing fleet of Opus low-floor buses, Des Moines joins the growing family of high-profile transit organizations across America who, after positive experiences, become repeat Optima customers.

Fleet Maintenance Manager Carol Pelfrey says the DMMTA has received a lot of compliments about the Opus from passengers, drivers and mechanics alike. "When you walk into the Opus, it's very pleasant. There is more visibility, it's quieter and it rides more smoothly than other buses," explains Pelfrey. "On all levels, the Opus offers a superb return on our investment."

Having purchased its first Optima Streetcars in 1987, Louisville also joins the ranks of repeat Optima customers with its recent order of five American Heritage Streetcars. According to TARC Executive Director J. Barry Barker, the trolleys have been popular with Louisville visitors and residents since they were first introduced. With the city's monthly ‘Gallery Hop' art gallery tour steadily growing in popularity, Barker says it became necessary to add five more trolleys to Louisville's fleet to handle the passenger volume.

"Operating the same Optima Streetcars for almost two decades gave us ample proof they were both durable and reliable," says Barker. When the time came to expand our trolley fleet, it made sense to again purchase Optima Streetcars. Not only are they quality buses, but Optima has proven it is as committed to customer support as it is to building quality buses."

Optima Marketing and Sales Manager Diane Hawkins says, "It speaks well for the quality of Optima buses when customers return for additional units. All of us on the Optima team are proud of our growing number of repeat-customer relationships. However, whether a first-time customer or a customer who is returning, we always go the extra mile to deliver superior customer service from purchase to post-delivery."