Keolis renewed in Stockholm to operate fossil-free and electric buses

Keolis Sverige, Keolis’ Swedish subsidiary, has been awarded a four-year contract extension by Swedish public transport authority (PTA) Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) worth €500 million. Effective August 2022, the contract covers the operation and maintenance of 335 fossil-free buses to serve the centre of Stockholm and Lidingö island northeast of the city, home to 400,000 residents. 

Under the contract, 15 new electric buses will complete the existing fleet from August 2022, paving the way for the PTA to roll out its electrification strategy for a greener public transportation system. Keolis also aims to enhance the passenger experience by implementing an IT system which will allow commuters to keep track of the precise position and arrival time of the next bus and know the number of passengers on board.

The 361 km network features 41 lines, 400 bus stations, three depots and carries 80 million passengers annually. A new depot equipped with a charging system for the e-buses is due to be built and 1,400 Keolis staff will be dedicated to operating and maintaining this network.  

“We are delighted that SL, our partner since 2003, has decided to extend their long-term relationship with us,” said Bernard Tabary, CEO International at Keolis. “Together, we will improve the quality of mobility as part of a strategy to develop greener cities. Thanks to our global experience in zero-emission bus operations elsewhere in Europe, Canada and the U.S., I have every confidence that we will successfully manage these sustainable contract transfers in close collaboration with the local authority.”

“We thank you for the confidence to continue to offer an efficient network of bus connections in the inner city and on Lidingö. We will continue to focus on offering an efficient and comfortable service, with continued satisfied travellers. Keolis is the bus company in Stockholm’s public transport that has the largest share of satisfied passengers. We are proud of that, because it is proof that our combined efforts are bearing fruit”, added Jan Kilström, CEO of Keolis Sverige.