OMSI 2 Add-on Digibus Phantom

The Phantom is based on the high-floor version of the Optare Spectra, which first appeared on British roads in 1992 and is a modern evolution of the MCW Metrobus. Optare, formally part of United Bus (including DAF and BOVA), acquired the rights to the 15-year-old design from the defunct Metro Cammell Weymann. The Spectra was sold exclusively on the DAF DB250RS chassis until 1994, after which it became available to other manufacturers such as Alexander and the Northern Counties.

The model was reintroduced in 1998 as the UK’s first low-floor bus, the DB250RS LF. It was sold in large numbers to established customers such as Arriva, Reading Buses and Wilts & Dorset. Production continued until the last examples rolled off the line in 2005. Today, most Spectras have been decommissioned (due to tightening emissions regulations, with many cities introducing low-emission zones), but a few lucky ones have been rescued from the scrap heap by enthusiasts and will continue to live in good condition for many years to come.