De Lijn orders 32 Italian electric buses
De Lijn has ordered 32 articulated electric buses from Italian manufacturer Iveco, marking an investment of approximately 24 million euros. The Flemish transport company announced this on Tuesday.
These 18-meter-long buses are part of a broader framework agreement under which De Lijn had previously ordered 109 similar vehicles. The first units from that initial order are set to be delivered this year, the company confirmed.
Designed with passenger comfort and safety in mind, the new buses will feature a range of amenities. “Passengers will be able to charge their mobile phones on board,” De Lijn explained. In addition, real-time journey updates will be displayed on extra-wide screens, and an electrically operated ramp will improve accessibility for less mobile passengers. The driver’s cab will also be partially enclosed to enhance safety.
The investment is a step forward in De Lijn’s efforts to modernise its fleet and transition to greener operations. Currently, the company’s buses average over ten years in age, and delays in new vehicle deliveries have heightened the strain on its services. This shortage of deployable buses has forced De Lijn to reduce service frequency in some regions.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO THIERRY ROGE
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