De Lijn Rolls Out BYD Buses in Antwerp

This week, Flemish public transport operator De Lijn officially brought its first standard all-electric buses from BYD Europe into service. These e-buses will initially operate from the Mortsel depot to support services in the Antwerp region, with further deployment across Flanders planned later in the year. A total of 92 vehicles are expected to be delivered in 2025.

De Lijn

The first BYD e-bus arrived at Mortsel depot earlier this spring. Following the installation of onboard systems and ancillary equipment, driver training got underway. With training now sufficiently progressed, the first four vehicles are ready to hit the road.

De Lijn

Ann Schoubs, De Lijn Managing Director, commented,

“We expect a similarly positive reaction from our passengers as we’ve seen with previous e-bus launches. These new vehicles bring the same popular advantages — they’re quiet, vibration-free, and offer onboard USB charging points, an electric ramp for passengers with reduced mobility, improved climate control, and live journey information on extra-wide display screens. We’ve also made sure our drivers are well looked after, with a fully modernised, secure and ergonomic cab environment.”

De Lijn

In January 2024, De Lijn ordered 92 electric buses from BYD Europe. This was the first time that the Flemish public transport company had ordered large buses from the Chinese firm. The company came out on top in the tender process.

More than a third of the 92 BYD buses currently in production will be allocated to the Mortsel depot — a welcome boost for public transport provision in the Antwerp area. The remainder will be deployed from De Lijn’s depots in Bruges, Hasselt and Winterslag.