Amsterdam goes for another 84 VDL electric buses
Amsterdam’s public transport operator GVB has ordered another 84 electric buses from VDL Bus & Coach. The 84 new generation VDL Citeas will be in put into service from 2023 onwards. The framework agreement also includes an option for a further 130 VDL Citeas.
The exact models that VDL Bus & Coach are to deliver are 30 Citeas of type LF-181 and 54 of type LF-122. These new models are based on an a new electric powertrain. Here the company has focussed on batteries in the floor, a one-piece composite side wall, energy management, a “sophisticated” climate control system and ergonomic environment for the driver.
VDL says the new generation of Citeas will be deployed in a number of cities and areas starting this year such as in Eindhoven in The Netherlands (wherby we reported on the new generation in more detail), Kotka and Lahti in Finland, throughout Flemmish Belgium with De Lijn public transport company, Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig) and Bordeaux in France.
In the expansion of the GVB fleet, VDL Bus & Coach will be taking responsiblity for the implimentation of the corresponding charging infrastructure. The company has not yet revealed further details about the charging systems.
Public transport operator GVB has been using electric buses since the end of 2019. In Amsterdam, in addition to the 44 vehicles currently in operation, another 31 electric buses will be put into service this summer, bringing the total number to 75 this year.
“With this order, the GVB fleet will eventually be entirely VDL,” said Ard Romers, managing director of VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. “GVB is going to phase out the last diesel buses and permanently switch to zero emission VDL Citeas in Amsterdam. We are proud that, based on the trust built up over the past decade, we can continue our cooperation with the partners in this project.”
Amsterdam is famous for its sustainable transport, notably prioritising active transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport. Claudia Zuiderwijk, Managing Director GVB said: “This order is a good step towards nicer, cleaner and more sustainable public transport in Amsterdam. More and more inhabitants of Amsterdam will experience how the droning acceleration of buses is disappearing from the city and that the air is cleaner when they cycle or walk around.”
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