VDL to deliver 42 electric buses to the Netherlands

Public transport operator Transdev has won a concession in the Netherlands and VDL Bus & Coach will supply the electric vehicles. Specifically, the company will deliver and maintain 42 Low Entry R-NET buses.

The buses are the new generation LE-122 Citeas. It is a 12.2 metre-long solo bus, which celebrated its premiere in May 2021. Unlike the previous generation, the batteries are installed in the floor and not on the vehicle’s roof. Moreover, the side wall of the buses consists of a continuous component made of composite material, which should reduce the weight and thus increase the range – in addition to positive effects on vibrations, noise comfort and, thanks to the improved insulation, also on energy consumption when heating or cooling the interior.

The buses can score points in terms of comfort, says VDL, as the new generation Citea buses “promise an extremely comfortable travel experience with features including a wide passage between the wheel arches, a low entry height, an electric and manual combi ramp for wheelchair users, comfortable seats with thick seat cushions and seat heating in every passenger seat, multimedia consoles with phone holder, reading lights, a USB connection and a folding table.” Moreover, all vehicles feature a range of assistance systems, sich as promise an extremely comfortable travel experience with features including a wide passage between the wheel arches, a low entry height, an electric and manual combi ramp for wheelchair users, comfortable seats with thick seat cushions and seat heating in every passenger seat, multimedia consoles with phone holder, reading lights, a USB connection and a folding table.

The buses will go into service as part of the Hoeksche Waard/Goeree-Overflakkee (HWGO) concession. It was won by public transport operator Transdev and will run from December 2025 to December 2038. According to VDL, the fact that Transdev would deploy electric buses “was a factor in the tendering process.”

The concession covers all bus transport in the municipalities of Hoeksche Waard/Goeree-Overflakkee, as well as bus services between these municipalities and Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Barendrecht, Hellevoetsluis-Spijkenisse, Renesse and Willemstad.

vdlbuscoach.com