NS buses run on fuel made from waste
Travelling by public transport has become even more sustainable since 1 January 2019: the buses NS uses as replacements for trains run on fuel made from waste. On 10 September 2018, NS signed new contracts with two bus companies for this service. Since January 2017, all NS trains in the Netherlands have been running entirely on wind power.
Smart and sustainable replacement transport
We deploy buses when trains cannot run temporarily, such as during engineering work or disruptions. In 2017, over 22,000 buses operated during engineering work and nearly 9,000 during disruptions. Jan de Wit Group and Transvision provide these bus services for NS.
Thanks to new contracts, you will soon receive better travel information, so you know exactly when your bus departs and arrives during engineering work. We will also gain better insight into bus occupancy, allowing us to deploy buses more efficiently. This helps us support your journey even better.
First step towards emission-free transport
Since January 2019, the buses have been running on HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). This fuel is made from used cooking oil and industrial fats. HVO is climate-neutral because it does not produce additional CO₂ emissions. Its production does not use natural resources or food.
For NS, this is an important first step towards completely emission-free bus transport. Over the eight-year contract, we are investing together with the bus operators in further steps. For example, we are exploring electric and hydrogen buses. Transvision will introduce some electric buses later in the contract. Rest assured, we will keep you informed.
An incentive for the entire sector
NS is a major customer in the coach market. Through this contract, we encourage the entire sector to travel more sustainably. Jan de Wit Group and Transvision also support other bus companies in switching to HVO fuel, extending the impact of this contract to more parties.
Walter de Wit, director of Jan de Wit Group, says: “NS is the first client to require fully climate-neutral bus travel. That is why we were the first in the Netherlands to equip all our buses with HVO through our own refuelling stations. This allows us to offer all our clients 100% climate-neutral transport.”
René van der Veer, director of Transvision, adds: “We are proud to take these sustainable steps together with NS. We have already contacted a Dutch bus manufacturer to eventually deploy fully electric coaches.”