VDL achieves order for 64 new generation Citea for Arriva in the Netherlands

64 new-generation VDL Citea area headed in Dutch North Brabant East concession. In this way Arriva is responding to the target set by the province of North Brabant of emission-free public transport by 2030.

Going into details, VDL Bus & Coach is supplying Arriva with 40 new-generation VDL Citeas of type LF-122 and 4 articulated buses of type LF-181. These vehicles will mainly be used for public transport in the city of Tilburg. VDL is also supplying 20 vehicles of type Citea LE-135 for use on HOV lines between Uden-Veghel-Eindhoven and Uden-Veghel-Den Bosch.

VDL new e-buses for Arriva

All 64 new vehicles for Arriva are equipped with CCS Combo 2 charging sockets on both left and right for optimal charging flexibility at depot locations. The buses also contain ISO ePM1 filters in the passenger compartment including virus filter, which protects against bacteria. In addition, the vehicles have camera monitoring systems instead of conventional mirrors, are fully emission-free and equipped with the innovative climate control system.

They are also equipped with an AVAS system, ensuring optimum safety for fellow road users. The ergonomic driver environment is set up in every bus to provide the driver with maximum support. All vehicles are equipped with wood print on the wheel arches and ceiling, and the LE-135 HOV buses have additional interior lighting. These vehicles are characterised by the large number of luxury seats fitted with extra-thick seat and back cushions, and are mainly forward-facing seats for optimum passenger comfort. The city vehicles LF-122 and LF-181 are characterised by their good passenger flow, full low-floor design and multi-purpose spaces for disabled users and a buggy or walker area, VDL points out.

One out of four buses to be electric by end 2023

“With this expansion of our bus fleet, we are taking an important step towards our zero-emission ambitions,” explained Jan Pieter Been, regional director of Arriva South. “As one of the largest public transport operators in the Netherlands, we have a name to uphold. We need to lead the way. For our travellers, our drivers and our clients. Which is why we have set ourselves the goal of being fully carbon-neutral as early as 2027. We will achieve 90% of this through the transition to zero emissions and the last 10% by offsetting. For example, for the purpose of offsetting, we recently planted a forest between Boxtel and Vught.”

Deputy Suzanne Otters-Bruijnen: “These 64 buses are another big step towards the provincial ambition for public transport to be completely emission-free by 2030. Fewer emissions of pollutants are good for Brabant and its people. As things stand, by the end of 2023, 1 in 4 buses will already be electric, which is good news.”

“Electric buses in Brabant, from Brabant: Sustainability at its best,” says Ard Romers, managing director VDL Bus & Coach Nederland. “Our ambition is to contribute to clean and sustainable public transport. With the development of the new generation VDL Citea, we have taken another huge step towards this. Travellers will experience more comfort and a quieter journey. The driver’s working environment has been completely redesigned and designed according to the latest standards. These new vehicles will give public transport a fresh and clean look.”