USA MyEdmondsNews has reported that the board of directors of Community Transit based at Everett near Seattle has authorised the purchase of another 17 ‘Double Talls’ – Enviro500s from Alexander Dennis. They will join 45 of the buses already in service with the operator on commuter services into Seattle. Four will replace aging 60-feet long single-deckers while the remaining 13 will be used to facilitate new services.
Community Transit has operated double-deckers since 2007 when it leased an Enviro500 to test the feasibility of its operation. With nearly 80 seats and standing room for up to 30 more, the double-decker proved more efficient than 60-feet long single-deckers.
The first 23 Enviro500s, christened Double Talls, were introduced in 2011 with another 22 fallowing last year. The additional buses are expected to arrive in mid-to-late 2017.
Community Transit has an option to purchase another 40 double-deckers under a joint contract with Sound Transit and Kitsap Transit. Sound Transit has already announced that it’s purchasing 32 double-deckers for its service between Snohomish and King counties. Community Transit operates that service under contract out of its KaschPark, Everett base which was upgraded in 2010 to accommodate this type of vehicle. Sound Transit currently has five double-deckers in service.
