Belgium’s transport company De Lijn has awarded a framework agreement to Spanish manufacturer Irizar e-mobility for the supply of up to 100 BRT e-buses. Irizar’s bid was chosen as the best among three offers, selected from a pool of eight candidates, according to De Lijn.
This decision comes after De Lijn’s recent order of 92 electric buses from BYD, as part of a larger framework agreement for up to 500 units, and ongoing supplies of e-buses from Iveco Bus in Flanders. Irizar’s ie tram vehicles are already in operation or set to operate in several countries, including the UK, France, and Switzerland.
The new BRT e-buses for De Lijn will feature a modern design and an interior layout focused on enhancing passenger comfort. They will include USB charging points for cellphones, cellphone holders, and reading lights. Additionally, the buses will offer seats with higher backrests, and extra glass windows to allow more natural light into the interior space, De Lijn highlighted.
Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters commented, “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.”
The new e-buses will be deployed on the HOV connections in Flanders, which are designed to provide smooth and fast travel over longer distances. These connections, similar to the BRT concept, are seen as a solution to the underdevelopment of the rail network in Limburg. Future HOV lines from Hasselt to Maastricht and to northern Limburg are also planned.
Ann Schoubs, director general of De Lijn, commented, “With Irizar, we have an additional supplier that has a strong reputation in the market of e-buses for this higher segment. 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,” said Iñigo Etxeberria, managing director of Irizar e-Mobility. “Irizar e-Mobility is a proud supporter of this process with our experience and technology.”
