For Immediate Release

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

Greater Dayton, Lancaster and Fresno Order American Heritage Streetcars to Add to Their Existing Optima-based Streetcar Fleets

Wichita, KS – August 8, 2005 – Wichita, Kan. - Repeat Optima customers, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority in Dayton, Ohio, Red Rose Transit Authority in Lancaster, Pa., and Fresno Area Express in Fresno, Calif., have ordered additional American Heritage Streetcars to add to their existing streetcar fleets.

Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority ordered four American Heritage Streetcars to replace its existing fleet of four 1992 Alamo City Streetcars. The streetcars operate on fixed route services and for special event services.

"Optima provides an attractive, good quality, heavy duty transit streetcar," said Jim Fourcade, Greater Dayton's Chief Maintenance Officer. "The Greater Dayton RTA and Optima Bus Corp. have a good working relationship and the Transit Authority is looking forward to delivery of the new streetcars."

Another long-time Optima customer, Red Rose Transit Authority ordered one streetcar to replace an Optima Alamo City Streetcar. Currently, Red Rose operates five streetcars - two American Heritage Streetcars, which have been in service since 2003, and three Alamo City Streetcars, which have been in service since 1990. Lancaster's streetcars are an important piece of the city's downtown revitalization project.

Red Rose's Executive Director, Jim Lutz, said, "The success of our Historic Trolley Shuttle and park-and-ride service in Lancaster City made it both possible and necessary to add a third new Optima streetcar to our fleet. This vehicle will replace a 1990 streetcar that has served the community well."

Finally, Fresno Area Express has ordered one American Heritage Streetcar due to increased demand on its dedicated streetcar routes, which serves historic downtown Fresno and park-and-ride locations destined for downtown. Fresno previously purchased three American Heritage Streetcars in 2004.

"Since putting the streetcars into operation, we have seen increased demand in service from park-and-ride locations and on the Lunch Time Trolley routes in downtown," said James Samuel, Fresno Area Express' Maintenance Manager. "We chose to purchase another trolley from Optima because the American Heritage Streetcar is built well; excellent after-sales support, including maintenance and parts ordering, and it just looks good."

Optima Bus Corporation "transit tough" products - the nostalgic American Heritage Streetcar and revolutionary-designed Opus low-floor bus - have lived-up to their reputations with more than 150 Optima customers across the United States. For more information about Optima Bus Corporation, the American Heritage Streetcar, or the Opus low-floor bus, contact Steve Kratzer at (316) 779-7700 or visit www.optimabus.com.