EVI.

The Public Service Contract provides for an increase in investment resources for the greening of the fleet until 2027.

The board of directors of De Lijn has approved a new tendering procedure for standard and HOV e-buses. In combination with the tenders already awarded, this tender aims to supply e-buses in the context of greening the fleet.

In concrete terms, this involves the launch of two framework agreements via a negotiated procedure with a prior call for competition:

  • A first for a maximum of 500 standard e-buses with a term of six years.
  • A second for a maximum of 100 HOV e-buses with a term of four years.

De Lijn hereby commits itself as a partner of the Flemish Climate Plan and is further rolling out the planned greening of its fleet, together with the roll-out of the necessary e-charging infrastructure. The Public Service Contract provides for an increase in investment resources for the greening of the fleet until 2027.  

This order runs parallel to the previous framework agreements that led to the order of 60 standard e-buses at the end of 2021 and 17 HOV e-buses at the beginning of this year. De Lijn will later decide which framework agreement it will use to place further orders.

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The e-buses that can be ordered, which will probably be delivered in the first half of 2025, are not only good for the environment but also increase passenger comfort.

As a reminder: in December 2021, De Lijn ordered 60 standard e-buses – 36 from Van Hool and 24 from VDL. Due to a disrupted international distribution chain and a general shortage of parts, these e-buses are expected to reach the depots in the course of the next few months. De Lijn will extensively test the delivered e-buses to check whether they meet the specifications and the properties specified by the suppliers. At the same time, De Lijn is keeping the option open to be offered recent technological improvements through the new procedure. After an extensive market survey over the past few weeks, De Lijn has further fine-tuned the tender. This opens the door for additional suppliers to compete for the new award.

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The e-buses that can be ordered, which will probably be delivered in the first half of 2025, are not only good for the environment but also increase passenger comfort: an inviting floor covering with a wooden feel, electric ramps for prams and wheelchairs, seats in imitation leather, extra-wide info screens with journey information, USB chargers, comfortable suspension, etc. The e-buses are equipped with just about all modern active and passive safety functions with regard to handling, braking and soft road users. The safety and comfort of the driver has also been considered, for example with a partially lockable driver's seat, cameras instead of side mirrors and a seat that can be adjusted and ventilated in all directions. The line.

“This legislature we are shifting up a gear in the greening of De Lijn. The electrification of public transport is an absolute necessity, after all, we are in the middle of climate change. Not only do these e-buses ensure that no nitrogen or particulate matter is emitted – which benefits air quality – but the removal of the diesel engine also ensures that these buses drive almost silently through urban areas and beyond.”

Photo middle and top: Image bank De Lijn.

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