Netherlands: EBS to withdraw from IJssel-Vecht concession in 2029; Dutch provinces prepare new tenders

This is not yet a published tender. It is a trade-press article on Sustainable Bus reporting a planned public transport procurement. The Dutch provinces of Gelderland, Flevoland and Overijssel intend to launch a new tendering procedure for regional bus services in the current IJssel-Vecht area, to take effect from July 2029. The current concession has been operated by EBS since 2022. It was won in a competitive 2022 tender against two other bidders and was originally due to run until 2035. After substantial financial losses, EBS and the provinces agreed that EBS will exit the concession in July 2029, six years early.

The provinces cite operational setbacks, higher costs and external factors, including electricity grid congestion, as causes of the losses. They will make additional financial contributions so that services continue until 2029, while EBS bears the largest share of the losses. The amounts have not been disclosed and the agreement is not yet final. The provinces say the contributions fit within their existing public transport budgets.

The scope, geography and contract structure of the future concession or concessions have not yet been decided. The three provinces plan to define the new arrangements over the coming months. According to PV Personenvervoer, Gelderland intends to set up a separate concession for the part of the IJssel-Vecht network within its territory. The provinces still intend to keep cooperating under the common RRReis public transport brand.

The sources give no contract value, duration, lots, procedure type, submission or Q&A deadlines, award criteria, submission portal or bid language. The only date given is the intended start of the new arrangements in July 2029. No tender documents, selection criteria or technical specifications have been published. Requirements for bidders, such as operator licensing, financial standing, fleet and zero-emission obligations, staffing and service levels, are still to come in the future contract notice and tender documents. This page should be updated once the provinces publish a prior information notice or contract notice.