HOLLAND Arriva has started operating the 15-year multi-modal Limburg contract in the Netherlands which will integrate services and provide new technology for passengers.
A fleet of 250 new buses, introduced in phases throughout the length of the £1.7bn contract, will run in towns and cities including Maastricht, Heerlen and Roermond.
A fleet of 46 trains will also be operated by Arriva across the Limburg province, including cross-border services to Germany and Belgium.
Within 10 years, all buses and trains will be emission-free as part of Arriva’s environmental commitment with passengers benefiting from a fleet of new electric buses and trains which will gradually replace the current diesel fleets. Arriva will also introduce free WiFi, contactless and simplified ticketing, integrated timetables, faster routes and a fleet of mini-buses will serve rural areas.
Manfred Rudhart, Chief Executive of Arriva, commented: “It has been a successful mobilisation of the Limburg contract and we are delighted to be officially starting operations today and to welcome our new passengers. We are already one of the major transport mobility providers in the Netherlands and the new contract in Limburg represents another milestone for us. It is a truly multi-modal contract where our investment and future plans put passengers first.
“It will see the integration of local and cross-border services, new buses and trains, contactless ticketing and new on-board technology – all areas which are vital to the future of public transport.”
From March 2017, Arriva will also operate a two-year bike sharing pilot scheme in Maastricht as part of the Limburg contract.
The scheme will be run in partnership with Nextbike beginning with 60 bikes at six railway stations.
Arriva now operates 1,550 buses, 147 trains, 11 waterbuses and has 6,000 employees in the Netherlands.
