The MCW Metroliner was launched in 1986 as a more robust integral alternative to the then increasingly popular van deprived minibuses that were flooding into the fleets of many operators who were facing up to the newly deregulated era of bus operation.
The early vehicles were built to a length of 7m but a long wheelbase 8.4m version was soon added to the range and it is this that the Britbus model is based.

The buses were particularly popular in the London area were London Buses and several other operators working tendered services soon built up sizeable fleets. Outside London the type found favour with several municipal operators.

MCW closed in 1989 but the Metrorider lived on and continued to be produced by Optare who updated the design, production finally ended in 2000 following the launch of the Optare Solo.

The Britbus model has an opening front bonnet but doesn't have the poseable front wheels found on the majority of the other models produce by this manufacturer.

In late 2016 a three Hong Kong related models were produced for the AsianBus range and released in the UK.