For Immediate Release

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

Topeka orders four more Optima American Heritage Streetcars; Louisville takes delivery of its five additional Optima Streetcars

Wichita, KS – March 21, 2005 – Optima Bus Corporation announced today that two long-time Optima customers — the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), Louisville, KY, and the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority (TMTA), Topeka, KS — have chosen to increase their current fleets of Optima American Heritage Streetcars. When delivered, the TMTA’s order of four new American Heritage Streetcars will boost Topeka’s fleet of Optima Streetcars to seven, while TARC’s five additional new units will boost to 14, Louisville’s streetcar fleet.

Having purchased their first Optima Streetcars in 1986 and 1987, respectfully, both Topeka and Louisville have joined Optima’s growing family of transit organizations who are repeat customers. TARC Executive Director J. Barry Barker says, “Operating the same Optima Streetcars for almost two decades gave us ample proof they were both durable and reliable,” says Barker. When the time came to expand our trolley fleet, it made sense to again purchase Optima Streetcars. Not only are they quality buses, but Optima has proven it is as committed to customer support as it is to building quality buses.”

According to TMTA General Manager Janlyn Nesbett-Tucker, Optima Streetcars have been popular with Topeka residents since they were first introduced in the 80s. “People just love riding Topeka’s trolleys,” says Nesbett-Tucker. “A ‘Topeka Trolley’ ornament was the very first one of its kind featured in the city the holiday ornament series – now that says it all. Trolleys have served Topeka well for almost twenty years. I’m happy to say, with this order of four new Streetcars, we look forward to growth in ridership as they continue to be a popular Topeka tradition for many more years to come.”

Optima Marketing and Sales Manager Diane Hawkins says, “When two highly respected mass transit customers, after almost twenty years of operating Optima Streetcars, choose to buy the very same vehicles all over again, we can only conclude that we must be doing something very right. All of us on the Optima team are proud that so many of our first-time customers turn into repeat customers,” she says. “However, whether a first-time customer or a repeat customer, there is no difference in the superior customer service that we provide every customer — from purchase to post-delivery.”