NABI sells Optare
British bus maker sold for £11.8 million British pounds, or US$20.7 million.
North American Bus Industries Inc. (NABI) completed an agreement last week to sell its UK subsidiary, Optare Holdings Ltd. — a bus and coach manufacturer — to a management team led by two Optare executives.
Robert Coombes and Roger Fossey, managing director and finance director of Optare, respectively, bought the company for a total of £11.8 million British pounds, or approximately US$20.7 million.
NABI has owned Optare since 2000, and sales of Optare’s only Americanized product, the 30-foot 30-LFN, amounted to about 170 units to various U.S. operators, including Miami-Dade Transit, American Eagle Airlines and Thrifty Rental Car.
Under terms of the sale, NABI has entered an agreement with Optare to provide spare parts and technical services for the 30-LFN buses NABI supplied to its U.S. customers.
More Management

Jacksonville’s NAVI Project Charts a New Course for Autonomous Public Transportation
Through its NAVI program, JTA is showing how autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure, and coordinated operations can work together to deliver everyday public transportation.
Read More →
FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak
Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.
Read More →
Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability
The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.
Read More →
People Movement: MARTA Drops Interim Tag on GM/CEO Hunt and More
In this edition, METRO covers recent appointments and announcements at the FMCSA, HDR, SilverRide, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Read More →
VIA Metropolitan Transit Reports 2 Million More Passenger Trips as Better Bus Plan Gains Momentum
San Antonio's transit agency said accelerated service improvements are driving ridership growth, offering another example of how increased frequency and workforce investments can translate into stronger transit performance.
Read More →
ABAF Study Reveals Growing Insurance Crisis for Motorcoach Operators
Preliminary findings show 98% of operators faced premium increases over the past five years, while shrinking insurer participation is putting added pressure on businesses and customers.
Read More →
PSTA Modernizes Workforce Management with Digital Bidding System
The award-winning Workforce Transit Modernization project replaced paper bidding with a transparent digital platform, cutting administrative effort while improving access for operators.
Read More →
Chicago to Host Public Transportation's Biggest Gathering at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
North America’s largest public transportation gathering returns to Chicago, connecting transit decision-makers with the technologies, ideas, and partnerships driving the industry forward.
Read More →
New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies: Joshua Schank on Making Transit Innovation Stick
Former LA Metro Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Schank discusses why good ideas aren't enough, how transit agencies can overcome resistance to change, and why today's challenges demand more innovation.
Read More →
Washington's Community Transit Sets Six-Year Roadmap for Growth, Expansion
Approved TDP targets more bus service, new mobility options, Swift BRT expansion, and a potential Everett Transit annexation.
Read More →