The start of the new public transport concession in South Holland North by Qbuzz has been downright chaotic.
Travelers complain about delays, cancellations and the use of outdated equipment, including coaches. The criticism is piling up, both via the contact center of the province and on social media. Frederik Zevenbergen, administrator of the province of South Holland, responds with strong words and demands immediate improvements.
Since December 15, Qbuzz has been responsible for public transport in the concession area of South Holland North. However, the first few days have been anything but smooth. According to travelers, scheduled trips have been canceled and buses are being replaced by coaches that are not suitable for daily public transport. “These types of problems are unacceptable and cause great inconvenience to our travelers,” Zevenbergen emphasizes. He calls the level of service provided so far substandard.
Free public transport
Qbuzz has tried to soften the initial criticism by offering free public transport until 5 January. Although this measure is appreciated, Zevenbergen emphasises that this is only a temporary band-aid on a structural problem. “Travellers deserve reliable public transport, not a temporary compensation,” says Zevenbergen.
One of the most discussed points is the deployment of a completely zero-emission bus fleet, as originally promised by Qbuzz at the start of the concession. However, this fleet has been delayed due to delivery problems at bus manufacturer Iveco. As a bridging measure, Qbuzz has now purchased forty old buses from the previous concession holder, but this is also seen as an emergency measure. “It is a step in the right direction, but nothing more than that. Qbuzz has promised a zero-emission fleet and I am holding them to that,” Zevenbergen emphasizes.
measures
The situation remains tense. Zevenbergen warns that the province will take appropriate measures if Qbuzz does not quickly succeed in implementing the promised improvements. "I am monitoring the situation closely. If there is no significant improvement, we will intervene," he says. What these measures exactly entail remains unclear for the time being, but the tone of the deputy leaves little room for interpretation.
Qbuzz has now announced that it is working hard to find solutions. The delays in delivering new buses and the start-up problems are acknowledged. However, the confidence of travellers, but also of the province, seems to have suffered a major blow. The success of the concession will depend greatly on the speed with which Qbuzz succeeds in implementing the promised improvements.
For now, public transport in South Holland North remains a source of irritation for travellers. With a view to a sustainable and reliable future, the ball is in Qbuzz's court to quickly rectify the situation and restore the confidence of both the province and travellers.
Frederik Zevenbergen is a member of the Provincial Executive (the provincial government). He was previously a councillor in Leiden and a member of the States. He has worked as general manager of the Dutch Medicines Verification Organisation (NMVO) and in various positions at titles of De Persgroep, such as Tweakers.
