BUS manufacturer Optare has received a £3.5 million order to supply 16 new vehicles to Manchester.

As a leader in electric and hybrid bus technology, the Sherburn in Elmet-based business received the order from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

The 16 new buses, including hybrids and the firm's first electric models, will bring the total to 115 low carbon Optare buses operating in the conurbation.

The order, worth £3.5 million, was supported by the Department for Transport’s Green Bus Fund, and consists of 13 Versa hybrid 12m-long school buses and three Versa 9.7m-long electric buses - the first fully electric low access buses to be used in Manchester.

The first vehicles are expected to be in operation in July.

John Horn, sales director at Optare, said: “Optare has had a strong start to 2014, so we are particularly pleased to announce another high value order.

"Transport for Greater Manchester’s decision to invest in more of Optare’s advanced hybrid and electric powered buses is a great testament to the reliability and cost effectiveness of our vehicles.”

The Versa hybrid buses will be used for the Yellow School Bus scheme introduced in Greater Manchester in 2003, and the Versa electric vehicles will operate on the Metroshuttle routes.

Howard Hartley, TfGM head of Bus, said: “We are committed to investing in buses with low carbon emissions and strong environmental credentials.

“We have been happy with the performance and reliability of our current buses, and the support we have received from Optare, so are pleased to be expanding the number of hybrid vehicles within our fleet.”