For Immediate Release

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

New Optima American Heritage Streetcars delivered to Dubuque, Iowa; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Charlotte, North Carolina

Wichita, KS – December 15, 2003 – Optima Bus Corporation announced today that Keyline Transit in Dubuque, Iowa; Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in Charlotte, N.C.; and the Red Rose Transit Authority in Lancaster, Pa., each took delivery of new Optima American Heritage Streetcars in recent weeks.

Dubuque’s Keyline Transit took delivery of two American Heritage Streetcars that Transit Manager Mark Munson says will be used to transport passengers to concerts, conferences, museums and casinos in the city’s revitalized historic downtown Port of Dubuque district. Annually, Munson predicts nearly 400,000 passengers are expected to ride the streetcars when the $188 million America’s River Project revitalization effort is completed.

The Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) in Lancaster, Penn. also took delivery of two new American Heritage Streetcars that join that city’s three previous streetcars that have been in service continually since 1990. Similar to Dubuque and many other American cities, Lancaster’s fleet of streetcars are an integral part of a downtown revitalization project. Red Rose Executive Director Jim Lutz says the Red Rose Transit Streetcars are used to shuttle passengers to and from the local baseball stadium and convention center as well as being made available to private weddings and other private parties to generate additional revenues.

The recent delivery of three new Optima American Heritage Streetcars to the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) brings to 15, the fleet of streetcars that make up the city’s “Gold Rush” downtown circulator service. The red American Heritage Streetcars have transported more than two million riders since it began service in September 2001, averaging 4000 passengers daily. CATS Chief Executive Officer Ron Tober says, “The Gold Rush streetcars have become an integral part of the Center City by giving employees, visitors and residents transportation choices for getting to work and reaching other popular destinations located in Charlotte’s Center City.”

Optima Marketing and Sales Manager Diane Hawkins says, “The joint partnership between CATS and the Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP) that brought the Gold Rush fleet of Optima American Heritage Streetcars into being has been very successful. The Gold Rush circulator service in Charlotte is only one of many ways communities across the country are utilizing the American Heritage Streetcar,” explains Hawkins. “Optima Streetcars not only deliver passengers comfortably to their destinations, but also add to the ambiance of old town districts by simultaneously transporting people back to the turn of the century.”