Following on from the original Optare Solo, the redesigned SR model first appeared in 2008, again built in a variety of lengths and configurations. Although so far I have featured the Solo in three articles, none have been SRs. The longest and rarest version is the 10.3m M1030SR, which replaced the equally uncommon Solo M1020, recognisable by the four full-length bays within its wheelbase. I know of only four examples, the earliest of which was SB10 BUS, a 36-seater new in March 2010 to SB Travel of Coundon, Co. Durham, which I photographed in June 2011 in Bishop Auckland bus station. It has remained in Co. Durham, passing in November 2018 along with three other SB Travel Solos to Scarlet Band of West Cornforth, then in March 2020 it was sold on to Weardale of Stanhope.
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