The Flemish public transport operator De Lijn has awarded a new framework agreement for up to 500 standard e-buses to Daimler Buses Belgium, representing an investment value of up to €303 million. At the same time, De Lijn is ordering 268 12-meter e-buses from BYD Europe and over 80 vehicles from Daimler Buses. This order is made possible thanks to a €400 million "booster" for rolling stock from the Flemish Ministry of Mobility and Public Works.
The order consists of over 80 vehicles from Daimler Buses and 268 e-buses from BYD Europe. The Mercedes-Benz eCitaros from Daimler Buses are being ordered under a new framework agreement for up to 500 vehicles. The first vehicles are expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2027. The order for 268 buses from BYD Europe completes the framework agreement signed with BYD in 2023. These e-buses will be delivered in phases starting in the second quarter of 2027. "We are pleased to see that De Lijn is ensuring the continuity of its greening efforts through the new framework agreement," says Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Annick De Ridder. "Thanks to the €400 million 'turbo', De Lijn is ordering over 630 new e-buses this year – the 290 buses already ordered in the spring and the 268 + 80 now – modernizing its offering and strengthening its passenger service."
The Flemish transport company De Lijn aims to offer completely emission-free public transport by 2035. This means electrifying its entire bus fleet, over 2,000 vehicles, by 2035. At the same time, De Lijn wants to make its buses even more attractive and customer-friendly, so that more people use public transport. According to De Lijn's Director General, Ann Schoubs, this order is an important
step in this process: "Both the BYD e-buses and the Daimler or Mercedes vehicles will receive the typical De Lijn equipment, including USB charging points and an electric ramp for passengers with reduced mobility, an improved driver's workplace with a fully adjustable, ventilated, and heated driver's seat, side cameras instead of mirrors, and advanced safety equipment."