Arriva Group secures 15-year contract renewal in The Netherlands

Arriva Group has secured a major contract win in the Netherlands, strengthening its presence in one of Europe’s most liberalised and competitive public transport markets. The Province of Overijssel and the Province of Drenthe awarded Arriva a new 15-year contract to continue operating the Vechtdal regional rail lines from December 2028, valued at more than €650 million.

This renewal reinforces Arriva’s strong and trusted relationship with local transport authorities and reflects its consistent delivery of high-quality, customer-focused rail services since first operating the Vechtdal concession in 2012.

The contract covers two key routes in the eastern Netherlands – from Zwolle to Emmen, and from Almelo to Hardenberg – and includes plans to enhance service frequency, modernise rolling stock, and improve the passenger experience. Arriva will add five new Flirt EMU trains, each with four coaches, to its existing electric fleet, delivering greater capacity and comfort, including upgraded seating, enhanced workspaces and quiet zones for travellers.

Anne Hettinga, Managing Director Arriva Nederland and member of the Arriva Executive Committee, said: “This contract award marks another important step in Arriva’s strategic growth in the Netherlands and across liberalising markets in Europe, where our expertise and strong partnerships deliver real value for passengers and public transport authorities.

“We are proud of the high-quality services we have delivered over the past 12 years in the Vechtdal region and are excited to build on that legacy through investment in new electric trains and more frequent, comfortable services. This is a clear example of our ambition to grow, innovate, and lead the transition to greener transport across Europe.”

“From December 2028, passengers in the Vechtdal region will benefit for a period of 15 years from an extended timetable, including more frequent services throughout the day on both routes. The Almelo–Mariënberg line will also be electrified, enabling a full transition to electric trains on the route – an important step in Arriva’s wider commitment to reducing emissions across its European network.”

The Netherlands is one of Arriva Group’s largest markets, operating bus and rail services across several regions. This latest contract win strengthens Arriva’s position in Europe, where the Group is actively seeking opportunities in liberalising markets, backed by a deep local knowledge and the experience and scale of a pan-European operator. 

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About Arriva Group:

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 36,200 people and delivering around 1.5 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.