Falkirk-based Alexander Dennis, a leading British bus manufacturer, has been awarded a contract to manufacture a new fleet of Enviro500 three-axle double-deck buses for Berlin’s transport authority (BVG).

The buses — due for delivery in 2020 — will be 13.8m long with three doors, two staircases and 80 seats. They will be comprehensively tailored to the requirements of operating in Berlin.

An initial delivery of two pre-series vehicles has been agreed; after tests and trial operation, the acceptance of a minimum of 70 vehicles is guaranteed.

BVG’s current plans envisage a fleet of 200 Enviro500 buses in service on the streets of Berlin in the short term. BVG operates around 1,500 buses, which last year carried 441 million passengers.

More than 400 double-deck buses are used on BVG services in Berlin.

This is the largest fleet of double-deckers in continental Europe — and one of the largest in the world.

BVG chairman Sigrid Evelyn Nikutta said: “Yellow double-deckers are a well-known landmark of Berlin; this tradition will now continue with the buses built by Alexander Dennis.

“Thanks to the flexible contract, we will be able to adjust our purchase volume, depending on how the electric-bus market develops. It is part of our plan to electrify our bus fleet by 2030.”

Colin Robertson, the chief executive of Alexander Dennis (www.alexander-dennis.com), said: “We are delighted that BVG has chosen Alexander Dennis as the sole supplier of Berlin’s new double-deck buses.

“Our ‘state of the art’ Enviro500 vehicles offer benefits for BVG, its drivers and its passengers.

“This new partnership with BVG is a significant step forward in our European expansion strategy.”