Alexander Dennis Delivers First BRM Built Enviro500 Buses to Spokane Transit

Alexander Dennis, a leading global bus manufacturer and a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., has announced the delivery of the first two of seven Enviro500 double-decker buses to Spokane Transit Authority (STA) in Washington state.

These newly delivered buses are significant as they are the first to be built by Alexander Dennis’ manufacturing partner, Big Rig Manufacturing (BRM), at its recently opened facility in Las Vegas, which spans 80,000 square feet and is dedicated to producing low and zero-emission double-decker buses.

Earlier in September 2023, Alexander Dennis selected Big Rig Manufacturing as its contract manufacturing partner to meet the growing demand for the Enviro500 double-decker buses in North America. Big Rig Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Big Rig Collision Group, is well-known for providing truck, bus, and motorcoach accident repairs across Canada and the United States.

The new Enviro500 double-decker buses for STA are 42.5 feet long and 13.6 feet tall, designed to seat 82 passengers with a total capacity of 108, including space for two wheelchairs. These fully ADA-compliant buses come equipped with a powered ramp at the front for accessibility.

As part of the next phase, STA will focus on testing the new buses and providing driver training to ensure a smooth integration into their operations. Once deployed, the double-deckers will be used on Routes 6 and 66, significantly increasing capacity and efficiency for riders traveling between Spokane and Cheney.

Brandon Rapez-Betty, Interim Co-CEO of STA, expressed his excitement about the arrival of the buses, saying, “These double-decker buses represent an exciting new era for Spokane Transit, offering a contemporary design and improved capacity that will elevate the transit experience and set a new standard for public transportation in our region.”

Stephen Walsh, Vice President and General Manager of North America at Alexander Dennis, also highlighted the milestone: “This delivery marks an important moment for us in North America, expanding our footprint with another transit agency adopting our double-decker buses. With our state-of-the-art facility in Las Vegas now fully operational, we are well-equipped to meet the growing demand and continue our success in North America, where we’ve already delivered over 1,400 double-decker buses.”