50 more VDL Ambassadors for Syntus

VDL Bus & Coach recently delivered another 50 Ambassadors to public transport company Syntus. These type ALE-120 buses with a length of 12 metres are equipped with a Euro 5 engine featuring EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle) technology. Unique to this new fleet of vehicles is the reduction of NOx emissions. To be precise, these buses produce less than 1 g/(kW·h). This exceptionally low emission level is achieved using the latest developments in engine innovation. The buses have been in operation since 12 December 2010 in the Veluwe concession area (a region in the Dutch province of Gelderland), where Syntus will provide the public transport service for 6 to 10 years. Syntus provides its services in the Veluwe under the name Syntus Gelderland. Earlier this year, in August, VDL Bus & Coach already delivered 106 Ambassadors for the concession Syntus won in Midden-Overijssel (region in the Dutch province of Overijssel).

The Ambassador is a low-floor bus with an innovative, lightweight construction, specially intended for the demanding conditions of city and regional transport

The Ambassador is a low-floor bus with an innovative, lightweight construction, specially intended for the demanding conditions of city and regional transport. This low empty weight results in very economical fuel consumption, reducing the Ambassador’s exhaust emissions, and thus offering considerable environmental benefits. An additional advantage is that the Ambassador, with its low-floor construction at the entry and exit doors, is optimally accessible for wheelchair users and passengers with baby buggies. The entry door near the driver is extra wide, which makes it even easier to board the bus.

The delivery of a total of 50 Ambassadors consists of 24 buses in the city version for Apeldoorn and 26 buses in the regional version for the Veluwe. Both types of bus offer space for 80 passengers. The city buses are fitted with 32 seats in a 2+1 configuration and the regional buses with 35 seats in a 2+2 configuration. All the buses are equipped with a manually operated wheelchair lift, air conditioning for all the passengers, an onboard computer, OV chip card system, security cameras and a TFT information screen. A special colour scheme has been designed for the exterior of the buses operating in the Veluwe. The city buses are green and the regional buses are ice blue.

Syntus

Syntus B.V. operates the public transport by train in the Achterhoek (a region in the east of the Netherlands), on the railway between the Dutch cities of Tiel and Arnhem and on the railway between the Dutch city Hengelo and the German city Bad Bentheim, by bus and train in a portion of Twente (a region in the east of the Netherlands), by bus in Midden-Overijssel and by bus in the Veluwe. Syntus has the ambition to win more train and bus concessions in the Netherlands. Syntus is a public transport company that places great importance on regional involvement and interconnectivity of various types of transport. Via personal and made to measure service, passengers are helped along their way throughout the entire journey. The vision is proving successful both in the current transport regions and in the bids for new concessions. Syntus is a joint daughter company of the NS Groep (Dutch Railways) and Keolis, an internationally operating passenger transport company based in France.

VDL Bus & Coach

The core activities of VDL Bus & Coach consist of the development, manufacturing, sales and after-sales service of a wide range of buses, coaches and chassis modules and the purchase and sales of second-hand buses as well. VDL Bus & Coach although one brand, produces a range of buses and coaches to suit various transport environments within the global market. Manufacturing takes place in the Netherlands and Belgium. VDL Bus & Coach places aspects such as quality, safety, durability, comfort, low maintenance costs, low fuel consumption and the environment in high regard. Sales of VDL Bus & Coach products take place through a worldwide network consisting of corporate-owned sales offices, importers and agents in more than 30 countries. This makes it possible to offer custom-made transport solutions. For after-sales service and maintenance, the client can count on rapid, hassle-free assistance from VDL Bus & Coach employees in any of the many service locations. An expansive distribution network ensures that spare parts and accessories are delivered to the requested destination as quickly as possible. Through utilization of theknowledge, expertise and strength of the individual bus companies, VDL Bus & Coach has grown to becomeone of the largest bus producers in Europe.

VDL Groep

VDL Bus & Coach is part of the VDL Groep. VDL Groep, with its head office in Eindhoven, is an international company focused on the development, production and sales of semi-manufactured products, buses & coaches and finished products. In total, the group, with more than 6,800 employees, consists of 79 subsidiaries spread over 16 countries. The strength of the VDL Groep lies in the mutual co-operation between the companies.