Transport operators in Flanders: 704 e-buses

Support from De Lijn

• Guidance: De Lijn is supporting transport operators with electrification.

• Collaboration: close contact with the FBAA (Federation of Belgian Bus and Coach Operators) and the Low-Emission Buses initiative.

Benefits for transport operators

• No European procurement rules: transport operators can order e-buses directly from suppliers.

• Criteria: e-buses must meet the same criteria as De Lijn’s buses (USB charging points, current journey information, etc.).

A faster switchover (smaller depots)

Transport operators have fewer public transport buses per depot and their fleet is often combined with coaches. As a result, they need less electricity capacity per depot and can therefore switch to e-buses more quickly.

Current state of play

• Number of e-buses: as of 1 September 2025, 704 e-buses were in service with our operators.

• By summer 2025, around 70% of the contracts had been renewed. These new contracts include provisions for additional investments to meet stricter greening criteria.

• For contracts gradually nearing their end, our partners receive an annual bonus when replacing a combustion-engine bus with an e-bus.