French public transport operator Keolis has secured a contract from the Dutch province of Utrecht to operate and maintain its bus network, with plans to purchase over 250 electric buses. The contract, valued at 750 million euros, extends for ten years and will take effect in December 2025.
This new contract represents an extension of an existing agreement and marks a significant step in Keolis’ commitment to sustainable mobility. The company will deploy more than 250 electric buses, although the manufacturer of these vehicles has not been disclosed. This electric fleet will be the largest operated by Keolis and will be gradually integrated into the network. Charging stations will be installed at bus depots and car parks to support the electric bus infrastructure.
Under the new contract, the Utrecht bus network will be rebranded as U-OV (Utrecht Openbaar Vervoer), transitioning from its current name, Syntus Utrecht. This change aligns with the province of Utrecht’s vision for sustainable and inclusive mobility.
Jan Kilström, CEO of Continental Europe at Keolis, expressed pride in the company’s renewed contract and its commitment to supporting Utrecht’s energy transition goals. He stated, “The renewal of this contract for a further ten years confirms our customer’s confidence in Keolis. In recent years, we have been able to deliver a quality transport service, and even increase passenger satisfaction levels, despite the driver shortage.”
Keolis has been operating in the Netherlands since 1999 and has been managing the Utrecht region’s bus network since 2016. As part of its efforts to enhance the network’s appeal, Keolis plans to extend timetables and offer additional services to passengers. The company also aims to improve public transport accessibility in Utrecht and will collaborate with local associations to achieve this goal.
