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The province of South Holland has received three registrations for the public transport concession in the Hoeksche Waard / Goeree-Overflakkee (HWGO) region.

The registration period closed on Thursday, August 1, 2024, after which it was announced that Arriva, EBS and the current carrier Transdev have submitted their proposals. This registrations describe how the transport companies want to shape public transport in the HWGO concession in the coming years. These registrations will be assessed in the coming weeks. The province aims to announce in early November which carrier will be responsible for public transport in the area from December 14, 2025.

The concession is granted by the province for a period of at least ten years. However, if the winner of the concession operates entirely with zero-emission buses from the start in December 2025, the concession will be extended to a period of thirteen years. This emphasis on sustainability and emission-free transport shows the province's ambition to make public transport more sustainable and contribute to the climate objectives.

The aim of this tender is to return the level of facilities on the two islands of Hoeksche Waard and Goeree-Overflakkee to the level before the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to continuing the successful R-net connection between Rotterdam and Goeree-Overflakkee (Dirksland – Middelharnis / Sommelsdijk – Oude Tonge – Rotterdam Zuidplein), the connection from Oud-Beijerland to Rotterdam Zuidplein will also be upgraded to R-net. This means an improvement in the frequency and reliability of connections, which will significantly improve the accessibility of public transport in these areas.

The 20 hydrogen buses that have been deployed in recent years will also continue to operate under the new concession. These buses, which are powered by hydrogen fuel cells, produce no harmful emissions and contribute to cleaner air quality in the region. Continuing the use of these hydrogen buses is an important step towards a completely emission-free public transport network.

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Transdev, the current carrier, has indicated its determination to retain the concession and continue with innovative and sustainable solutions. A spokesperson for Transdev said: “We have proven in recent years that we are capable of delivering a high-quality public transport system. With our new plans we want to further improve this and contribute to a sustainable future for the region.”

Arriva, one of the new tenderers, has also presented ambitious plans. “We believe that with our experience and expertise we can make a significant contribution to public transport in the HWGO region. Our focus is on customer satisfaction and sustainability,” said an Arriva spokesperson.

EBS, the third tenderer, emphasizes their commitment to innovation and customer focus. “We are convinced that with our innovative approach and focus on customer needs we can make a valuable contribution to public transport in this region,” said an EBS representative.

In the coming weeks, the province will carefully assess the registrations based on various criteria, including sustainability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. The final decision will be based on which carrier is best able to meet the needs of the region while contributing to the province's sustainability goals.

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