For Immediate Release

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

Knoxville orders four more Opus low-floor buses from Optima

Wichita, KS – November 29, 2004 – Optima Bus Corporation announced today that Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), in Knoxville, Tenn. plans to increase its current fleet of the popular Opus low-floor bus by placing an order for four additional units. When delivered, KAT's order of 4 Opus under 35-ft. low-floor buses will bring that organization's fleet of Opus buses to 24.

KAT's current fleet of 20 Opus buses help provide service for more than three million passengers throughout the City of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee campus. Each Opus is custom painted KAT's highly visible, trademark orange or teal color to match the rest of the KAT bus fleet.

"The Opus is the highest quality bus of any bus in the industry," says, KAT Maintenance Director Barry Greenberg. "Not only are they a hit with the riding public, but from our side of the equation, we appreciate Optima's great after-sale customer support," says Greenberg. "They make us feel like we are members of their family."

KAT has an option for an additional eleven buses, based on available funding. "We'll exercise that option for more Opus buses as soon as funding is available," Greenberg explains.

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."