Up to 100 Irizar BRT buses awarded by De Lijn for HOV connections

De Lijn has awarded a framework agreement for up to 100 BRT e-buses to Spanish Irizar e-mobility. The manufacturer has won the tender issued by the Belgian transport company, as its bid was selected as the best out of three submitted offers (out of eight selected candidates, De Lijns states).

In early 2024, De Lijn had ordered 92 BYD electric buses (part of a framework agreement for up to 500 units). Also Iveco Bus is supplying e-buses in the Flanders. Irizar ie tram vehicles are running (or are set to operate) in UK, France, Switzerland, among others.

De Lijn awards 100 BRT buses to Irizar e-mobility

The vehicles will have a modern look and an interior design that focuses much more on passenger comfort than regular e-buses: they not only have USB charging points for cellphones, but also cellphone holders and reading lights. There are also seats with higher backrests, and via lower and additional glass windows, more natural light enters the interior space, De Lijn points out.

“With this agreement, De Lijn has the additional opportunity to order e-buses for High Quality Public Transport (HOV). This type of vehicle is larger, offers more space and has a high level of comfort. This will allow the transport company to order plenty of new e-buses in the coming years and continue the greening of the bus fleet”, said the Flemish minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters.

“The buses will be deployed on the so-called HOV connections in the Flanders (that can be assimilated to BRT concept, editor’s take). These are connections with additional through-flow measures that get travellers to their destinations smoothly and faster over often longer distances, such as the Limburg axis between Hasselt and Maasmechelen. Thus, they are a good solution to cope with the underdevelopment of the rail network in Limburg. Later, the HOV lines from Hasselt to Maastricht and to northern Limburg will also follow”, she added.

“With Irizar, we have an additional supplier that has a strong reputation in the market of e-buses for this higher segment – said Ann Schoubs, director general of De Lijn – E-buses for HOV are distinguished from regular e-buses by a more streamlined exterior and high-quality interior design.”

‘We thank De Lijn for putting its trust in Irizar e-Mobility. De Lijn is making a significant contribution to the electrification of public transport. Irizar e-Mobility is a proud supporter of this process with our experience and technology” says the OEM’s managing director Iñigo Etxeberria.