BC Transit has placed a firm order for 41 new Enviro500 double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis Limited, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., as part of a fleet upgrade aimed at improving public transportation services across British Columbia. The order was added to NFI's firm backlog in the first quarter of 2026.
Partnership with Alexander Dennis
NFI Group Inc., a leading manufacturer of buses and coaches headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, announced the order on May 8, 2026. Alexander Dennis, known for its double-decker buses, will supply the Enviro500 models to BC Transit, a provincial Crown corporation that delivers public transit services to over 1.9 million people across 130 communities in British Columbia, excluding the Greater Vancouver area. BC Transit transports more than 54 million passengers annually.
Replacing Aging Fleet
The new buses will replace older vehicles that have reached the end of their operational life, continuing BC Transit's long-standing investment in double-decker technology. Each Enviro500 can accommodate up to 80 seated passengers, offering high seating capacity while maintaining a compact road footprint. This design helps optimize passenger flow and reduce congestion on busy routes.
BC Transit made history in 2000 as the first transit service in North America to introduce double-decker buses. Since then, the agency has consistently invested in these vehicles. The Victoria fleet currently includes approximately 50 Alexander Dennis double-decker buses, with additional units being introduced throughout 2026.
Strengthening a Long-Standing Relationship
Talha Wasif, General Manager for North America at Alexander Dennis, highlighted the strong partnership between NFI and BC Transit. “NFI and BC Transit have worked in partnership for more than 40 years with a shared commitment to ensuring comfortable, safe, and efficient transit for commuters in British Columbia,” he said. “We are excited to work with BC Transit once again by providing Alexander Dennis’ Enviro500 double-decker buses that are renowned for exemplary passenger capacity.”
Erinn Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Transit, emphasized the historical significance of the relationship. “Double-decker buses have been a defining symbol in our capital city since the year 2000, with Victoria becoming the first place in North America to operate double-decker buses for public transit,” she said. “The original 10 buses were Dennis Trident models manufactured by Alexander Dennis. BC Transit is proud that, a quarter of a century later, we continue to purchase double-decker buses from Alexander Dennis—a testament to the strong relationship between us.”
Supporting Capacity and Passenger Experience
The contract adds to Alexander Dennis’s order book and reflects ongoing demand for the Enviro500 platform. It supports BC Transit’s efforts to expand capacity and enhance passenger experience across the province. The new buses will be deployed in various communities, helping to meet growing transit demand.
About NFI Group
NFI is a leading independent global bus and coach manufacturer, providing aftermarket parts and service solutions. With over 9,000 team members across ten countries and operations spanning more than 40 facilities, NFI delivers a comprehensive portfolio of bus and coach platforms. Its brands include New Flyer (heavy-duty transit buses), MCI (motorcoaches), Alexander Dennis (single- and double-deck buses), ARBOC (low-floor cutaway and medium-duty buses), and NFI Parts. NFI supports an installed base of over 100,000 buses and coaches worldwide.
The company offers a broad range of propulsion systems, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and advanced diesel technologies, providing agencies with multiple fleet technology options. NFI's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NFI), and its convertible unsecured debentures trade under the symbol NFI.DB.
