NFI Group is celebrating a series of developments in North America and the United Kingdom through its subsidiaries New Flyer and Alexander Dennis.
Recent milestones include a new order of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in Las Vegas, the opening of a double-deck bus manufacturing facility in Nevada, and the UK launch of a diesel-to-electric repowering programme.
New Flyer Expands Las Vegas Partnership
New Flyer of America Inc. has received a firm order from the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) for 46 Xcelsior CNG 40-foot transit buses.
The purchase is supported by Federal Transit Administration funds and forms part of a wider contract that allows for up to 129 CNG buses. These vehicles produce up to 90% less nitrogen oxide than diesel engines and meet particulate matter standards without a filter.
Chris Stoddart, President of North American Bus and Coach at NFI said:New Flyer takes great pride in our 30-year history of excellence with RTC and looks forward to continuing this partnership in the years ahead... RTC’s current fleet consists entirely of NFI Group buses, operating ARBOC and Alexander Dennis buses in addition to New Flyer, which reaffirms the value our vehicles deliver for the agency and the citizens of Southern Nevada every day.
Alexander Dennis Opens Las Vegas Facility
Alexander Dennis has officially opened a manufacturing site in Las Vegas, its first in the United States dedicated to double-deck buses. The facility will supply vehicles for the North American market and create new manufacturing capacity in Southern Nevada.
At the opening ceremony, the company handed over the first two of 10 Buy America-compliant Enviro500 double-deckers to RTC. The delivery marked the beginning of local production from the new plant.
RTC Chief Executive Officer M.J. Maynard-Carey said:As the only site in the country building double-decker buses, this facility not only supports the RTC’s mission to provide safe, efficient, and innovative transit solutions, but it also brings quality jobs and economic investment to our region. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone and the continued collaboration that helps keep Southern Nevada moving forward.
AD Repower Launched in the UK
In the United Kingdom, Alexander Dennis has launched AD Repower in partnership with engineering firm KleanDrive. The programme provides operators with the option to convert existing diesel buses to electric operation rather than replacing vehicles.
The first model available for repowering is the Enviro400 MMC double-decker, with a pilot vehicle expected on the road in 2026. The conversion replaces the diesel engine and transmission with KleanDrive’s electric drivetrain, which uses a Voith Electrical Drive System (VEDS) motor and power electronics housed in a skid system.
Energy is supplied by 352kWh lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, which KleanDrive estimates will provide a range of up to 195 miles at 50% passenger occupancy. The repowered Enviro400 retains its original seating layout.
Chris Gall, Group Engineering Director, Alexander Dennis said:We believe that offering new electric buses as well as repowering vehicles already on the road is the quickest route to decarbonisation of our customer’s fleets.
