Eighty four new generation VDL Citeas for Amsterdam in new framework contract
Amsterdam operator GVB is expanding its electric fleet with 84 new generation VDL Citeas for delivery from 2023 onwards. The framework contract includes an option for a further 130 new VDL Citeas.
VDL Bus & Coach will deliver 30 articulated new generation VDL Citeas of type LF-181 and 54 VDL Citeas LF-122. For the expansion of the GVB fleet, VDL Bus & Coach is also responsible for implementing the charging infrastructure.
GVB has been using electric buses since the end of 2019 with 44 currently in service, and an additional 31 will enter service during the summer, bringing the total number of electric buses to 75 in 2022.
Willem van der Leegte, president, VDL Groep says: “With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have a versatile mobility platform that matches the sustainability ambitions of our customers.
“By signing this contract, we are making an important contribution to making Amsterdam an even cleaner city for its residents and visitors, based on our collaborative strength. We are proud to be able to supply buses to our capital city again.”
Amsterdam is working to further reduce CO2 emissions in the city. The municipality has developed a ‘Route Map Amsterdam Climate Neutral 2050’. Amsterdam will reduce its CO2 emissions by 5 per cent in 2025, 55 per cent in 2030 and 95 per cent in 2050, compared to 1990 levels. As part of this, GVB will provide completely emission-free bus transport in 2025.
Claudia Zuiderwijk, managing director, GVB adds: “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.”
“With this order, the GVB fleet will eventually be entirely VDL,” says Ard Romers, managing director, 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.
“The Netherlands is a European forerunner in the electrification of public transport and VDL is happy to provide its experience and expertise as a transition partner. More than 1,100 VDL Citeas now cover over 135,000 electric km together every day in a large number of European cities and regions.”
The new generation of Citeas has already been sold in several countries and will be deployed in a number of cities and areas starting this year: The Netherlands (Eindhoven), Finland (Kotka and Lahti), Belgium (all of Flanders), Germany (Oberhausen and Braunschweig) and France (Bordeaux).