Sound Transit in US orders 33 Alexander Dennis Enviro500EV
Alexander Dennis has taken an order from Washington state agency Sound Transit for 33 examples of its latest-generation Enviro500EV battery-electric double-decker.
The agreement represents a first order for that vehicle type in the United States, although a handful of previous-generation Enviro500EV models were sold there.
The Sound Transit examples will be delivered in 2026. They will be used on two new Stride bus rapid transit routes that are being developed along the Interstate 405 corridor to the east of Seattle to connect communities and light rail stations.
Assembly will be in Nevada by Big Rig Manufacturing, which is Alexander Dennis’s partner for production of the Enviro500 range in North America.
Notably, the buses will be equipped with wireless, inductive on-route charging thanks to Pennsylvania supplier InductEV. That will enhance range and operational performance and be a first for double-decker buses in North America.
Sound Transit was an early adopter of double-decker buses in the United States. It currently operates 50 diesel-powered Enviro500s on express routes in the Seattle metropolitan area.
Speaking about the deal, Alexander Dennis North America Vice-President Stephen Walsh says: “We are excited to once again be working with our longstanding customer Sound Transit in the Puget Sound region, which has selected our Enviro500EV with next-generation technology for its new Stride bus rapid transit service.
“This award highlights the resurging demand for our 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 modelling to fully understand the operational requirements. This ensures that the Enviro500EV will take Stride in its stride and give riders a smooth journey experience.”
Alexander Dennis has already sold the latest-generation Enviro500EV to operators in Hong Kong. President and Managing Director Paul Davies confirmed in 2023 that the model could be built for the UK, should demand warrant.
'Business as usual' for operator partners as Zeelo purchases Kura
Transport technology business Zeelo has purchased Kura, a specialist in home-to-school services and safeguarding software.
The deal represents Zeelo’s first bout of expansion by acquisition. Combined, the two entities will have over 220 corporate and education customers and more than 450 coach and bus operator partners that collectively transport 40,000 passengers daily.
Zeelo has moved quickly to note that operators working for Kura will see no change to their contract delivery approach. Those affairs will remain on what Zeelo Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Barney Williams says is a “business as usual” footing.
Kura contractors will continue to utilise existing billing and invoicing methods, although Zeelo notes that the deal will give a wider pool of operators the opportunity to access long-term corporate and education contracts via the Zeelo platform.
Combination of the businesses delivers what Zeelo describes as “the largest virtual bus operation in the UK.” The purchase of Kura follows a recent US$14 million fundraising round by Zeelo and it will accelerate that business’s UK profitability, a statement around the deal notes.
Zeelo Co-Founder and CEO Sam Ryan (pictured, below) adds that the purchase “will enable us to continue investing heavily in the UK operator market, working in partnership with over 450 operator partners to deliver for our customers. Without our brilliant operator partners there is no Zeelo, so we will continue to provide them with solid long-term contracts and charter work.”
Mr Ryan says that there is “a pipeline” of merger and acquisition opportunities across the UK and United States. “We are excited about what the future holds for Zeelo as we continue on our mission. We are excited to have the Kura team onboard for the journey ahead.”
As part of the purchase, customers can use a dedicated private hire team for events, transfers and school trips, as well as utilising Kura’s software-as-a-service offering. Zeelo says that platform is designed “to digitise existing operations and provide clients with the latest safeguarding features.”
Speaking about the sale of Kura, CEO Godfrey Ryan says: “This is a fantastic outcome for the Kura team and we are delighted to be joining forces with Sam and the team at Zeelo.
“From day one, Kura has had the vision to provide sustainable, efficient and safe transportation programmes for our clients in hand with our operator partners. I am excited to be working as one team as we continue to invest in our operator partners across the UK.”
Zeelo notes that its investment in electrification of services provided on its behalf will continue and that its ambition to move all of them to net-zero-emission, battery-electric vehicles by 2030 remains in place. 10% of Zeelo’s UK clients have already made that switch, it adds.
Silver Fox Coaches adds a new Irizar i6 integral
Silver Fox Coaches of Renfrew has taken delivery of a 12.9m, 57-seat Irizar i6 integral, supplied by Irizar UK.
Each passenger benefits from a three-point seatbelt and the coach also comes with USB charging points and a centre sunken toilet.
The i6 integral has been specified in PSVAR ready condition to protect residual values. That preparation includes an additional passenger door behind the front axle and adjustments to the luggage bay door below to accommodate a lift.
Entertainment comes from a Bosch Smart Series audio system and an Actia DVD player, with a single monitor at the front of the saloon.
Power is provided by a DAF MX-11 engine developing 367bhp coupled to a ZF Traxon automated manual gearbox. The i6 integral has been finished in Silver Fox Coaches’ metallic grey livery and it is set off by polished alloy wheels and a cherished registration mark.
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