Roeselare (Brussels Morning Newspaper): VDL lost a contract for 90 electric buses to BYD, impacting jobs in Roeselare. However, Arriva ordered 157 buses from VDL for the Netherlands, boosting public transport.
In January 2024, VDL, a bus manufacturer in Roeselare, Belgium, lost a major contract to supply over 90 electric buses to De Lijn, the Flemish public transport company. Instead, the contract was awarded to BYD, a Chinese bus manufacturer. This was disappointing for VDL, a key supplier for De Lijn which invested a lot in local production. The loss has raised concerns about job security at VDL’s Roeselare factory, an important regional employer.
Why did De Lin choose BYD over VDL for electric buses?
De Lijn chose BYD because the company offered lower prices and better bus features. BYD is growing fast in Europe and is known for making affordable electric vehicles, which makes it a good choice for De Lijn as it looks for greener public transport options. Winning this contract is a big boost for BYD in Europe, but VDL is not sure about its future and position in Flanders’ electric bus market.
Arriva has ordered 157 buses from VDL for the West Brabant region in the Netherlands. This order is part of Arriva’s new public transport service, on July 6, 2025. VDL, a leading bus manufacturer in the Netherlands, will begin delivering the first buses in early 2025, just before the service begins. The buses will likely include electric models since VDL focuses on eco-friendly transport. This order supports efforts to modernize public transport and reduce emissions. The new fleet will serve important cities like Breda and Roosendaal, improving the public transport system in West Brabant.
VDL will produce the 157 buses for Arriva at its factories in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, and Roeselare, Belgium, using the current workforce without hiring extra staff. The bus manufacturing industry is still facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced demand and material shortages that complicate production. Despite these issues, VDL is committed to completing the order on time, showing the industry’s resilience as it recovers.
