De Lijn, the Flemish public transport company, has recently welcomed the initial delivery of five electric buses from VDL, marking the beginning of a broader transition towards sustainable mobility in the Ghent region.
The new-generation Citea buses, stationed at De Lijn’s Destelbergen depot, represent the first phase of a larger order. An additional five buses are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, with the remaining 14 slated for deployment from the Sint-Niklaas depot at a later date, though specifics have not been disclosed by De Lijn.
“This delivery is part of our commitment to electrify our fleet and contribute to a cleaner environment,” stated a spokesperson from De Lijn.
Originally placed at the end of 2021, the order for 24 electric Citea buses from VDL forms part of a comprehensive plan by De Lijn to procure 350 all-electric buses by 2035, alongside necessary charging infrastructure. This initiative underscores a shift from hybrid to fully electric vehicles, following previous acquisitions such as 200 hybrid buses from VDL since 2019.
The deployment of these electric buses aligns with De Lijn’s broader strategy to achieve emission-free operations within the next decade, reinforcing their role in sustainable public transportation solutions across Flanders.
