Arriva Group has secured the Twente-ZHO concession in East Netherlands for both bus and rail services, following a competitive tender process. The contract, valued at €300 million, has been awarded for four years with an option to extend for another year. Arriva will operate over 100 brand new zero-emission buses and around nine trains from its existing fleet, and will also welcome 450 new colleagues to service the contract.
Arriva’s success in winning the concession was due to its innovative approach to public transport. The company plans to introduce changes to the timetable to ensure faster journey times on inter-city connections and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities. It will take a holistic view of the transport infrastructure across the region, examining walking distances and how public transport connects with cycling routes.
See also: Arriva adds electric buses from VDL Bus & Coach to its fleet
Furthermore, Arriva will focus on improving the connection between buses and trains to ensure a seamless transition between modes of transport. Anne Hettinga, Managing Director of Arriva Netherlands and Arriva Group board member, expressed her ambition to grow Arriva in the Netherlands and encourage people to use public transport. She believes that encouraging modal shift to public transport is one of the fastest ways to reduce transport emissions and an important step in caring for our planet.
Arriva’s plans for the Twente-ZHO concession are aimed at making public transport more attractive to the communities in Twente. The company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the region, and it will be interesting to see how these plans unfold in the coming months.
