NETHERLANDS
Arriva has been awarded a contract to operate buses and trains in the Overijssel region in the east of the Netherlands. Services under the new Twente-ZHO concession are due to start operating in December, and the contract will run for four years with an option to extend for another year.
Arriva will introduce over 100 new zero-emission buses and around nine trains from its existing fleet, and will also welcome 450 new members of staff to service the contract, which is said to be valued at €300 million. Arriva said it was successful in its bid because it will take a holistic view of the transport infrastructure across the region and has plans to introduce changes to the timetable to ensure faster journey times on inter-city connections and focus on improved accessibility for the elderly and those with disabilities who rely on public transport.
The operator also plans to improve connectivity between buses and trains and is examining walking distances and how public transport connects with cycling routes to improve the appeal of public transport for wider parts of the community.
Anne Hettinga, Managing Director of Arriva Netherlands, said: “We have an ambition to grow Arriva in the Netherlands and to boost access to public transport for passengers, so we can encourage people out of their cars and onto our services. Encouraging modal shift to public transport is one of the fastest ways of reducing transport emissions and an important step in caring for our planet. We look forward to continuing to make public transport more and more attractive for the communities in Twente.”
