For Immediate Release

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

Optima Bus Corporation to Manufacture Three More Streetcars for Booming CharlotteArea Transportation System

Wichita, KS – August 21, 2003 – Today Michael Monteferrante, Chief Executive Officer of Optima Bus Corporation announced the company will supply Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), Charlotte, NC, with three more American Heritage Streetcars. In May 2001, CATS purchased 12 Streetcars in an attempt to revitalize Charlotte’s Uptown transportation and provide local patrons greater accessibility to the areas finest restaurants and entertainment hot spots. Since the programs introduction just two years ago, the streetcars have hauled more than 2 million passengers in Charlotte’s rejuvenated Uptown renaissance district.

“The service’s popularity jumped dramatically after CATS changed from the original minibuses to the more exciting trolleys”, said Tim Newman, President of Charlotte Center City Partners. “Prior to the introduction of the streetcars the system had done well, but we knew that there was an opportunity for it to become something special,” explained Newman, “after the inauguration of the trolleys and their retro style, it became progressively clear that we had found the intangible that the program needed.”

July numbers for the Gold Rush service totaled more than 114,000 riders and set a new monthly record. Since the induction of the service, the number of riders has increased steadily and is expected to continue to grow as more people depend on the Gold Rush to get around the city.

“Our goal is to provide greater access to residents and visitors who frequent Uptown Charlotte,” said CATS’ Manager of Operations Brad Miller. “With the excessive demand we’ve experienced from riders and more trolley’s on the way, we are on track to greatly exceeding any of our earlier ridership expectations.”

Manufactured at Optima Bus Corporation’s state of the art facility in Wichita, KS the 12-year Altoona Tested American Heritage Streetcar is made of a heavy-duty chassis that is backed by a 10-warranty and a fuel-efficient, low-emission Cummins ISBO2 engine.