Optare, one of the UK’s leading bus manufacturers, has delivered the first tranche of buses as part of its biggest ever Australasian export order, worth £21m.

The Leeds-based business has delivered the first batch of environmentally efficient 114 Metrocity buses to Tranzit Group, one of New Zealand’s largest public transport operators.

The initial 12 of the UK-manufactured buses will start operating around Greater Wellington Regional Council routes in Wellington and the surrounding area in the next few weeks.

President of Optare, Graham Belgum, said: “This is a significant step for Optare in our international export strategy and signals the start of the exciting growth opportunities available to us in Australasia.

“Furthermore, it recognises our continued innovation in lightweight design, delivering significant annual savings in fuel consumption and operating costs.”

Chris Laidlaw, chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council, added: “At Greater Wellington we’re on our way to a more integrated public transport network so we can take more people to more places, more often.

“An important part of our strategy is reducing the emissions from our fleet. Metlink is doing that through a major renewal programme that will mean 80% of the buses on the region’s roads are new vehicles, providing a 68% reduction in harmful emissions.”