In a significant move towards sustainable transportation, NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”) subsidiary Alexander Dennis Limited (“Alexander Dennis”), a renowned bus and coach manufacturer, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Sound Transit, the primary transit provider in the Seattle metropolitan area. Sound Transit has confirmed the order of 33 zero-emission Enviro500EV buses, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s journey towards greener mass transit solutions.
Scheduled for delivery in 2026, these double-deck buses signify a new era in North American transit, as they will be the first to integrate Alexander Dennis’ cutting-edge electric bus technology, following its successful deployment in the UK and Asia-Pacific regions. The manufacturing of these buses will be conducted in the United States by Alexander Dennis’ partner, Big Rig Manufacturing.
These Enviro500EV buses will play a crucial role in Sound Transit’s new Stride bus rapid transit (BRT) system, designed to connect communities north, east, and south of Lake Washington to each other and to existing light rail connections along Interstate 405.
Sound Transit, known for its early adoption of double-deck buses, currently operates a fleet of 50 Enviro500 buses on express routes originating from Everett. The decision to invest in electric double-deckers reflects both their popularity among passengers and the transit authority’s commitment to sustainable transportation solutions.
The Stride Enviro500EV buses will be the first of their kind in North America to utilize Alexander Dennis’ next-generation zero-emission technology platform. Equipped with the Voith Electrical Drive System and enhanced energy storage capacity, these buses will also feature the industry-first use of inductive opportunity charging, provided by Pennsylvania-based InductEV. This innovative charging technology will enhance the buses’ range and operational efficiency.
Stephen Walsh, Vice President for Alexander Dennis in North America, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Sound Transit, stating, “We are excited to once again be working with our long-standing customer Sound Transit in the Puget Sound region who have selected our Enviro500EV with next-generation technology for their new Stride bus rapid transit service. This award highlights the resurging demand for Alexander Dennis’ double-deck buses in North America following the relaunch of Buy America-compliant production with Big Rig Manufacturing. The order was placed after we completed extensive route mapping exercises in conjunction with Sound Transit, using automotive-grade modeling to fully understand the operational requirements. This ensures that the Enviro500EV will take Stride in their stride and give riders a smooth journey experience.”
NFI Group Inc., the parent company of Alexander Dennis, is a pioneer in zero-emission mobility solutions. With electric vehicles already operating (or on order) in over 150 cities across six countries, NFI offers a wide range of zero-emission battery and fuel cell-electric buses and coaches. Collectively, NFI’s electric vehicles have covered more than 140 million service miles, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future for urban transportation.
