Transporter Keolis Nederland has to pay compensation of almost €3 million to the provinces of Overijssel, Flevoland, and Gelderland. Keolis won the concession almost two years ago, but it was revoked when it was found that the carrier had intentionally provided incorrect information to the concessionaires. The company had intentionally provided incorrect information about agreements with a Chinese bus manufacturer.
The provinces of Flevoland, Gelderland and Overijssel took the decision last year to withdraw the award to carrier Keolis. According to the Financieel Dagblad, Keolis no longer owns most of BYD's buses, according to the 2020 annual report that was recently filed with the Chamber of Commerce. A large part of the fleet is placed under a so-called financial lease agreement with a bank, under which the French parent company guarantees the financial transaction.
The carrier made negative headlines two years ago when it signed a contract for electric buses with a Chinese manufacturer, BYD. The Dutch bus manufacturer VDL would have liked to win this order. The buses were then used for the concession in Overijssel, Flevoland and Gelderland. To make matters worse, the new electric buses had to deal with the necessary start-up problems. Almost 900 drivers had to be trained to start with the largest electric fleet in Europe.
Frank Janssen
Top man Frank Janssen of transport company Keolis Nederland resigned from his position on 15 November. This decision was taken in close consultation with the shareholder and came at a time when Keolis could once again focus positively on the future. Marc Renouprez, regional director Keolis Benelux, temporarily assumed the duties and responsibilities until a suitable successor was found.
According to Pieter van Vollenhoven, it would be good – if fraudulent acts are involved – to still dissolve such a tender or contract. The way in which the tendering procedure for public transport in the IJssel and Vecht region was established raises questions and may have been partly fraudulent. According to Eric Smit van Follow the Money transport company Keolis used 'fraudulent' side letters with Chinese companies in obtaining the tender. Members of the House of Representatives and public opinion.
Also read: Keolis loses definitive contract but runs emergency concession
