For Immediate Release

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

Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area in Vancouver, Wash. takes delivery of ten Opus Low-Floor buses from Optima

Wichita, KS – June 14, 2004 – Optima Bus Corporation announced today that the Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority (C-TRAN), in Vancouver, Wash. has taken delivery of 10 under-30-ft. Opus low-floor buses. The first three of C-TRAN's 10 Opus buses were delivered May 28, only six months after C-TRAN placed its order. "That's a fantastic turn-around-time," says Scott Patterson, C-TRAN Director of Public Affairs. "We were impressed Optima delivered our buses so quickly."

C-TRAN's Opus low-floor buses rolled into service for the first time on June 4, 2004 at a dedication ceremony in the Vancouver suburb, Battle Ground, Wash. "Battle Ground's elected officials, the local Chamber and our riders all had great things to say about the look and feel of C-TRAN's first ‘Little Bus'," says Patterson.

The decision to purchase 10 Opus low-floor buses began, explains Patterson, with an extensive community outreach effort over the past year. "One of the most common themes we heard from the public was to more appropriately size our vehicles to meet demand on lower ridership routes," says Patterson. "The Opus low-floor bus is C-TRAN's response to what the community is telling us."

To make sure the public knew C-TRAN's new Opus buses were, indeed, a direct result of C-TRAN's responsiveness to public input, Patterson says, "Above the windows we emblazoned the phrase, ‘You asked… We delivered… C-TRAN's little bus.' We want people to know that we listened to their suggestions."

The drivers especially like the way the entire operator's station can adjust to fit any operator's physical idiosyncrasies, explains Patterson. "The early feedback from our riders is equally enthusiastic about the Opus because it is not only a very attractive bus," says Patterson, "but because it has improved accessibility for our seniors, disabled passengers and children."