Follow up order means dozen VDL electrics now operating in Dutch city
Holland Nine VDL Citea SLF-120 Electrics have entered service with Arriva on routes 8 and 9 in ’s-Hertogenbosch.
Anne Hettinga, chair of Arriva Netherlands’ board of management, said at the launch: “As an organisation we are doing more and more in the areas of sustainability and cleaner buses. We are engaged in a challenging transition in public transport.
“Over the past few years we have gained a broad range of experience with electric transport, and I am proud that we can now also take a step towards more electric transport in ’s-Hertogenbosch. This is partly due to the good cooperation with the Province of North Brabant, the Municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch and VDL Bus & Coach.”
VDL Bus & Coach delivered three electric Citeas to Arriva for ’s-Hertogenbosch in 2016 so the latest vehicles area follow up order. VDL Bus & Coach not only delivered the buses, but also the charging infrastructure and, in cooperation with the electricity supplier, provides them with power. VDL is therefore the system vendor for this project and is also responsible for the guaranteed service level during operation.
The VDL CiteasSLF-120 Electrics for Arriva are equipped with new battery technology that makes it possible to charge faster so a demanding timetable can more easily be met. A quick charger is located at the end of routes 8 and 9. At the terminus the driver parks the bus at the charging station so the batteries can be charged via the pantograph on the roof of the vehicle.
Ard Romers, Managing Director VDL Bus & Coach Nederland, said: “In this type of complex project, close cooperation between various parties is an absolute prerequisite for successful implementation. This is already the 7th E-mobility collaborative project between Arriva and VDL Bus & Coach in the Netherlands, and the second delivery of vehicles in ’s-Hertogenbosch. After Venlo, Maastricht, Vlieland, Ameland, Terschelling and Gorinchem, we are now working to develop zero-emission bus transport in ’s-Hertogenbosch. The leading role the Province of North Brabant has taken in the zero-emission project in ’s-Hertogenbosch is of essential importance for the further transition to clean and quiet electric transport.”
