User:Nightfury/sandbox/Optare ColomboRider

The Optare ColumboRider (more commonly known as the Ashok Leyland Colombo Rider) was an integral bus designed by British bus manufacturer Optare. It was based on the Optare Delta / Optare StarRider. As its name suggests, it was designed for export to the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Parts were also built by Ceymo Automobile Manufacturers Ltd on the outskirts of Colombo.

Many ColumboRiders were sold, however, Optare discontinued this model as it cost too much to build and ship the buses to the Sri Lankan specification; the manufacture continued on by Ashok Leyland from their plant in Colombo.

In the early 2000s Optare was acquired by the North American Bus Industries, this gave Optare another chance to sell buses abroad, so far the Solo (30-LFN) and the now discontinued Excel have been sold abroad.