VDL signs zero-emission MOU with RTA

VDL Bus & Coach and United Arab Emirates (UAE) operator Roads Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on transitioning from carbon to zero-emission operations.

The MOU was signed by Mr. Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Agency, on behalf of RTA and by Richard van den Dungen, Chief Commercial Officer, on behalf of VDL Bus & Coach. The aim of the agreement is to exchange experiences and knowledge specifically related to the transition from carbon-based to zero emission operations.

Between 2009 and 2011, VDL Bus & Coach delivered more than 500 VDL Citea CLF-120 low floor buses to the RTA, which to date have driven more than 450,000,000 km in the UAE.

For VDL Bus & Coach, the cooperation with the RTA on sharing knowledge and experiences on electric bus technologies, implementing e-bus operations in terms of vehicles, and the training of drivers, as well as charge management, further underlines its ambition: to globally optimise public transport mobility solutions directly connected not only to buses but also to the entire system.

“We are very pleased that RTA and VDL Bus & Coach intend to cooperate in the field of sustainable mobility” – Richard van den Dungen, CCO of VDL Bus & Coach

Richard van den Dungen, CCO of VDL Bus & Coach: “As a European frontrunner and market leader on e-mobility for the past ten years, the expertise we have acquired in the transition from fossil fuel to zero-emission operations can be used for analysis in the UAE region. We are very pleased that RTA and VDL Bus & Coach intend to cooperate in the field of sustainable mobility.”

“Our partnership with VDL aims to exchange knowledge and experience in the operations of managing and operating electric buses” – Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, RTA

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, RTA, said: “Our partnership with VDL aims to exchange knowledge and experience in the operations of managing and operating electric buses, and to hold workshops and joint visits to learn about the best international experiences and practices in electric bus shelter stations, which will make it easier for the authority in this phase. In the upcoming future, stations will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure to supply buses with electric energy, and an integrated system for managing and operating environmentally friendly mass transportation in a safe, easy and sustainable manner.”