Created 15-Aug-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
Just 122 Optare Prismas were built in the period 1995-1998, using the Mercedes-Benz O405 chassis and front cowl. Rhondda Buses bought two which became 550/551 (N550/551 MTG) in the fleet. New in December 1995 they came about halfway through the production run of the model.
They would appear to have been well-liked and looked very smart in the Rhondda Buses livery. The pair seem to have spent most of their time on the express services from Cardiff (X8/X9). They retained the same fleet numbers with Stagecoach until the national renumbering scheme when they became 23951/23952. Despite being non-standard not only within the Red & White operation but also the Stagecoach group as a whole, they lived full lives. Latterly spending some time in reserve and operating from Blackwood depot, they were finally sold for scrap in 2011.
© David Beilby
