Connexxion

Connexxion formerly Transdev Netherlands, Veolia Transport Nederlands and Connex Netherlands is a large public transport company in the Netherlands, operating in the west, middle, east, and southwest parts of the country. It is owned by Transdev and Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten. It is a subsidiary of Transdev Netherlands.

History

File:Connexxion 4165, Hilversum (8601729306).jpg

VDL Berkhof at Hilversum station in March 2013

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GTW train near Amersfoort in July 2013

File:Catharina Amalia - Connexxion.jpg

Voskhod hydrofoil in June 2009

File:Connexxion Taxi.jpg

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter taxi in September 2007

Connexxion was formed on 10 May 1999 from a merger between transport companies NZH, ZWN, Midnet and Oostnet. Its name is a mutation of the French word connexion meaning connection. In January 2007, Connexxion took over Utrecht public transport operator GVU and Nijmegen operator Novio.<ref>Connexxion consolidates bus operations Dutch News 3 January 2007</ref> In 2007, Connexxion's 33% shareholding in Syntus was sold.<ref>Annual report for year ended 31 December 2007 Template:Webarchive Connexxion</ref>

On 12 October 2007, Connexxion was privatised with a 67% stake purchased by Transdev-BNG-Connexxion Holding BV (TBCH), a consortium consisting of Transdev (75%) and Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten (BNG) (25%), beating a Deutsche Bahn / Rabobank consortium and FirstGroup.<ref>French company buys Connexxion Expatica 2 July 2007</ref><ref>Transdev buys majority stake in Dutch bus firm Reuters 2 July 2007</ref><ref>Transdev Acquisition Creates Fourth Largest Public Transport Corporation Group in Europe Template:Webarchive CNW Group 5 July 2007</ref><ref>Annual Report for year ended 31 March 2007 FirstGroup</ref> This gives Transdev 50%, BNG 17%, and the government a 33% stake in Connexxion. In February 2013, the government's 33% shareholding was purchased by Transdev, increasing its shareholding to 86%.<ref>State Sells Rest of Connexxion Mergers & Acquisitions February 2013</ref><ref>Annual Report for year ended 31 December 2013 Template:Webarchive Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten</ref>

Connexxion's parent company, Transdev Netherlands, also had another operation called Veolia Transport Nederland. The branding was replaced with the Connexxion in December 2016.<ref>Veolia name disappears from the OV OV Magazine 21 November 2016 (Dutch)</ref> As a result, Veolia Transport Nederland's Haaglanden operations were rebranded to Connexxion.

Operations

Operating area

Connexxion operate in Amstelland, Amsterdam-Zuidoost, Arnhem, Gooi, Haarlem, Hoeksche Waard, IJsselmonde, North Holland, Vechtstreek, Zaanstreek and Zeeland.<ref>Concessions Conexxions (in Dutch)</ref>

Buses

As of January 2016, Connexxion operated 1,900 buses and coaches.<ref>Delivery of 18 Citeas LLE for Connexxion VDL Bus & Coach December 2015</ref> It operates the only trolleybus network in the Netherlands<ref>New articulated trolleybuses for Arnhem Vossloh Kiepe 20 July 2009</ref><ref>Delivered: 11 new trolleybues for Arnheim/NL by Hess and Vossloh Kiepe Vossloh Kiepe 16 July 2013</ref> and, in 2017, introduced double-deckers on one route. Connexxion also owns bus companies Hermes and Novio.

In December 2013, Connexxion commenced operating the IJsselmonde, Rotterdam concession for 10 years.<ref>Transdev wins 2013-2023 public transport concession for IJsselmonde Region Template:Webarchive Transdev 10 July 2013</ref> In December 2017, Connexxion will begin operating the Amstelland-Meerlanden concession for 10 years.<ref>Connexxion wins Amstelland-Meerlanden public transport tender Transdev 16 December 2016</ref> An order has been placed with VDL for 100 Citeas SLFA electric buses. This will make it the largest operator of electric buses in Europe.<ref>Transdev electrics Coach & Bus Week 27 April 2017</ref>

Rail

Connexxion is contracted to operate the Arnhem to Doetinchem concession until December 2020 and the Vallei line concession until December 2021.<ref>ConcessionsTemplate:Dead link ProRail (in Dutch)</ref>

Connexxion held the Almelo to Mariënberg concession from December 2006 until December 2013 however its operation was sub-contracted to Syntus.<ref name=RG>Protos EMU order Railway Gazette International 1 April 2006</ref><ref>Annual Report for year ended 31 December 2008 Template:Webarchive Connexxions</ref><ref>Stadler rolls out latest Arriva Nederland multiple units Railway Gazette International 14 June 2012</ref> It operated the Sneltram between Utrecht and Nieuwegein until December 2013.<ref>Utrecht tram contracts placed Metro Report International 10 October 2012</ref><ref>Veolia Transdev to sell Dutch subsidiary International Railway Journal 18 February 2013</ref>

The fleet comprises five 2-car Protos electric multiple units, nine 3-car Stadler GTWs diesel multiple units, and two 3-car Stadler Flirts.<ref name=RG/><ref>Stadler EMUs enter service with Dutch operators International Railway Journal 14 December 2016</ref><ref>Connexxion Rail Fan Europe</ref>

Ferries

Connexxion operated a ferry route from Velsen to IJmuiden and Amsterdam Centraal station with Voskhod hydrofoils until 31 December 2013.<ref>Template:Usurped Classic Fast Ferries issue 4 June 2002 page 2</ref><ref>Template:Usurped Classic Fast Ferries issue 52 January 2014 pages 1-3</ref>

Taxis

As of March 2015 Connexxion operated 3,500 taxis.<ref>Large-scale e-taxi trial for Dutch Connexxion Taxi and Nissan Taxi Intelligence 1 March 2015</ref>

External links

• Official website