For Immediate Release

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

Clemson Area Transit adds more low-floor Opus buses to its current fleet

Wichita, KS – August 21, 2003 – Optima Bus Corporation announced today the delivery of three 35-ft., low-floor Opus buses for Clemson Area Transit (CAT) in Clemson, South Carolina. This delivery gives CAT a total of 11 Opus buses in its current fleet.

"We have been exceptionally pleased with the operational ease, efficiency and overall reliability of the eight low floor Opus buses we already have," says CAT executive director Al Babinicz. "Everyone from transit patrons to bus operators and mechanics love the innovative design and performance. And we couldn't be happier with Optima's consistent, high-quality service. CAT chose the Opus because of its superior performance to investment ratio and the combination of other positive factors. Opus is the bus of the future."

CAT links four universities with the city of Clemson including the Clemson University campus offering fare free transit, making CAT the largest public transit system of this type in the United States. The new set of Opus buses is CAT's fourth repeat order. "The Opus buses enhance CAT's reputation for innovation and creativity in public transit." says Babinicz. "The custom-painted purple and orange exterior make the buses instantly recognizable to CAT's 1 million passengers."

"The Opus' structural design and state-of-the-art technologies contribute to its dependability and cost-effectiveness," says Diane Hawkins, marketing and sales manager for Optima. "Add that to its exterior aesthetic appeal and large windows, and it's easy to see why the Opus is a very popular choice with public and private transit industry leaders."