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Traditionally, not only activities on and on the track and sudden obstructions mean a special balancing act for the use of train replacement buses. These buses now all have to be 'coronaproof' and therefore accommodate significantly fewer travelers - only 20-25% compared to the normal situation: 13 to 15 passengers.

The return to the 'old' timetable in particular will pose a special challenge from 1 June. In the Netherlands, Jan de Wit Group and Transvision - on behalf of NS - are responsible for train replacement bus transport on the NS main network. Arriva and Keolis (largely) arrange it themselves. In Belgium, infrastructure manager Infrabel and NMBS coordinate the action to be taken and NMBS ultimately orders the buses.

Still, it was exciting last week, when work in Groningen (until June 3) saw a number of obstructions and Assen, Veendam and Weener were not accessible by train. Delfzijl, Leeuwarden and Roodeschool were added in the weekend.

On Friday, a decent line of travelers waited neatly for 'corona proof' train replacement bus transport. Arriva and NS had arranged bus transport in consultation. The carriers had already announced that there were enough buses, but that they were on a timetable and would not be permanently available. Despite the low number of train passengers, this meant that many passengers had to wait. On average, the coaches were only able to fill up to a quarter of their capacity 'corona proof'.

Supervisors kept the line corona-safe and bus spotters had a wonderful weekend, because the coaches that had been 'corona proof' came from all over the Netherlands - even from North Brabant. Apparently, in a largely stagnant industry, it took some effort to gather corona-safe train replacement bus transport closer together. Not every coach operator apparently had any corona-safe equipment on offer. Even under normal circumstances - with a coach sector in its peak season - it would not have been easy to arrange a large number of coaches for this mega job.

Face masks also compulsory in the train replacement coach from 1 June

How does the organization of this transport actually work?

"NS also takes care of transport during activities, so also during these activities in Groningen," says a spokesman for NS. “In the case of Groningen Spoorzone, there was coordination with Arriva. We also arrange buses where no trains can run for other activities and emergencies. This is how it always goes - now with due observance of the regulations regarding corona. ”

Who actually arranges what in this corona time? 

“The bus suppliers are responsible for making the buses corona proof. The supplier therefore ensures that travelers can stay 1,5 meters apart in a bus. The supplier works with a standard layout of the bus and uses various means (ribbons and cover foil / plastic covers) to mark the places where the traveler is not allowed to sit. In practice, this means that buses currently offer room for 13 to 15 travelers in train replacement bus transport. ”

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Despite this significantly lower capacity, the coronaproof bus deployment does not present any major problems at the moment: “Obviously, we are keeping a close eye on this and government regulations for traveling by public transport affect the number of travelers and the number of buses must be deployed. "

And what about the financial side of using extra buses or extra (cleaning) work? “The number of travelers is currently such that this does not lead to more use of buses because the number of travelers is much smaller than before. So the costs are about the same at the moment. ProRail and NS pay for the use of the buses. ”

NS has asked the suppliers to supervise the implementation of corona measures on the buses. “At the moment, the effort is sufficient. However, from 1 June, face masks are mandatory in public transport. The regulations will be applied in buses in the same way as in the rest of public transport in the Netherlands. ”

adapted coaches in the event of an emergency

Arriva also works in a similar way, a spokesperson explains. Especially now that an adjusted timetable is being run and travel by public transport “as a day out” is discouraged. “We focus on transporting people working in vital professions. So we see very different numbers of travelers. ”

“This also has an effect on train replacement transport. We take into account the lower passenger numbers and at the same time we also take into account that the coaches can take fewer people with them for train replacement bus transport. So we arrange everything 'as normal' but take into account the circumstances and guidelines issued by RIVM. ” Even in the event of a calamity, this is no different for Arriva. “We try to get the coaches on site as quickly as possible, adapted to the situation. Where we have work on routes where other carriers also drive, we coordinate our efforts. ” She cites the recent blockage at Maastricht-Sittard as an example: "We actually always work together with NS."

In practice, in all train replacement buses that Arriva uses, whether those of Arriva or others, travelers are made aware of the applicable guidelines. “When boarding, the front door does not open, just as with the buses that we use on public transport, and you have to board at the central door. The driver is behind a ribbon, so with a distance from the passengers. Extra attention is paid to cleaning the buses. ”

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Regarding the costs of any extra bus deployment and extra (cleaning) work, Arriva is somewhat on the flat: “Our attention is focused on achieving good bus deployment for the various activities that is adapted to the RIVM measures. We follow the RIVM statements and guidelines that apply to the Netherlands and if a different or new decision is taken, we will follow them - just like other public transport companies. ”

Keolis has only one switching point

Keolis has a different approach for train replacement transport in the event of incidents and activities. Because bus and train activities are normally tightly integrated into Keolis' 'herringbone model', Keolis is happy to provide its own solution for train replacement bus transport, according to the spokesperson. “In principle, we are happy to solve it ourselves in the case of planned work. But should it happen during rush hour on Monday morning, we will call in one company, TG Via in Goor, a courier company that also has buses and coordinates everything for us in case of incidents. They used to drive for us as an extra and we worked together for years. ” Keolis has two special advantages for planned work: Keolis drivers can also ride the bus, and the travel information coming on the train can also be found on the buses.

“The advantage with a normal train replacement bus service is that we use our buses that are stationary and that these buses are controlled via one control center and that they all have a low floor, that they are wheelchair accessible, that they can use bicycles, they are almost all WiFi enabled. on board and that they can operate the galvanized posts themselves. ”

But the most striking thing about recent work in Overijssel was that Keolis took its - considerably larger - public transport buses from Almere. “Yes, a long way away, but better in this case. Coaches have only a narrow aisle and now with corona you actually need a bit more space. We have taped the places so that between 12 and 15 people can be safely transported. Because there is a maximum of 15 people in a bus. That is why a spare bus is always available. ”

Every evening, all Keolis buses in the garage receive an intensive disinfection that ensures long-term protection. “But during the day we also come by and take off the surfaces and all areas that the passengers touch. We do that preventive work as much as possible within sight of the travelers. And before June 1, we will remind our passengers via icons to wear a mask after that date. ”

Also read: BTM wins tender for replacement train transport

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