The public transport sector in the Netherlands continues to make significant strides towards a more sustainable future, with Transdev Nederland emerging as a key player in this transition.
“We began in 2016 with the introduction of our first zero-emission fleet and have since primarily incorporated battery-electric buses,” states Michael de Ruiter.
In conversation with Mobility Portal Europe, the group’s Chief Performance Officer highlights that currently, 50% of their fleet is already green.
“We operate over 600 zero-emission buses in the Netherlands, he elaborates.
This figure also includes 20 hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The fleet comprises models of various sizes, ranging from 12 metres to 18 metres in length.
Through public tenders, Transdev Nederland has successfully established agreements with various suppliers, including VDL, Ebusco, BYD, and Solaris.
“By the end of next year, we will also add some zero-emission buses from Volvo,” de Ruiter reveals.
He further explains: “Our focus is on finding the best option in terms of functionality and cost for each contract.”
This approach underscores that one of the critical factors in their eMobility success lies in a collaborative model involving multiple companies, both for vehicle supply and charging infrastructure.
How does Transdev Nederland manage fleet charging?
The company employs a mixed model, combining powering at its own facilities with access to the public network.
“Most of it takes place overnight, but also during the day, particularly for buses with smaller batteries,” he explains.
In this context, access to clean and affordable energy presents one of the greatest challenges in the Dutch market, requiring Transdev to continuously adapt to fluctuations in energy availability.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the company has opted to use exclusively renewable energy for vehicle “refuelling,” aligning with its goal to minimise its carbon footprint.
This decision reinforces Transdev’s mission to lead the way in sustainable public transport.
Currently, the company operates older vehicles with a range of approximately 75 kilometres, while the latest models can achieve up to 400 kilometres on a single charge.
“With improvements in battery technology, range has increased significantly, enabling us to operate more efficiently,” he remarks.
What are the advantages of a zero-emission fleet?
The Chief Performance Officer emphasises the substantial improvements in the daily operation of their vehicle fleet.
“The most significant benefit is that these buses are much quieter, enhancing the passenger experience,” says De Ruiter.
The reduced noise levels are a positive factor not only for the citizens but also for drivers, who now work in a calmer environment.
Additionally, he notes: “We’ve observed a decrease in the number of breakdowns in our services since the introduction of zero-emission vehicles, which we view as a significant advantage.”
“Drivers are genuinely enthusiastic about these vehicles as they also improve their working conditions,” he adds.
Thus, Transdev Nederland serves as a prime example of how public transport companies can transition to a more sustainable mobility model, reducing CO2 emissions, enhancing service quality for passengers, and optimising operations.
“We see positive outcomes in all these areas,” he insists.
A vision for the future
Autonomous vehicles represent a key area of interest for Transdev.
The company already operates a fleet of this type on dedicated routes, consisting of small models with a capacity of 22 passengers.
“We are exploring autonomous vehicles for the future, including larger models suitable for mixed traffic, but it is a challenge,” reveals de Ruiter.
He mentions that while they are closely monitoring pilot projects in the Netherlands, they are not directly involved in testing at this stage.
How is this transition financed?
“In the Netherlands, we make the investments as operators, but we receive subsidies that cover part of the costs of this transition,” he explains.
He further clarifies that the subsidies are not granted directly but are allocated to provinces, which then channel them to operators.
