Double-decker buses could be headed to Nappanee
A Scottish company is teaming up with a local bus-maker to build double-decker buses.
It happened when Alexander Dennis Incorporated, a Scottish company, signed a multi-year contract with the ABC Ameritrans bus company in Nappanee.
The agreement-- to build these double-decker buses for the North American market, usable for mass transit, tourism, and commuters.
"It's a specialty product, it's an 80-plus passenger, double-deck vehicle, the ones we are building are 13.6 high so, that gives them access to inner cities," said Lee Lopper, of ABC Ameritrans Bussing.
The buses are being built in former Fairmount Homes plants in Nappanee.
The goal is to produce two, to two and half buses a week for the next six years.
"We worked long and hard to find a suitable build partner, to build the double-decker buses in North America," said Robert Barr of Alexander Dennis INC. "It's a very good location for us, cause their work force and their supply chain, are here to support this type of product."
The city of Nappanee, as you can imagine, is overjoyed to have this company set up shop in Nappanee, making a unique, cutting edge type of transportation, that's not seen in this area."
"We are excited about it, you can see the buses behind me, it's a tremendous product, I think it is one of the best kept secrets in Elkhart county and we are so proud that they're here," said Nappanee Mayor, Larry Thompson.
Again, the contract to build them, runs through the year, 2021.
