By the end of 2023, the RGTR regional bus network will have 500 electric coaches. Currently, 11% of the RGTR fleet is electrified.  Library photo: Mike Zenari

By the end of 2023, the RGTR regional bus network will have 500 electric coaches. Currently, 11% of the RGTR fleet is electrified.  Library photo: Mike Zenari

The RGTR regional bus network will see its electrification programme accelerated, with the support of the Next Generation EU recovery plan and a budget of €35m.

The Public Transport Administration and the Ministry of Economy have announced a €35 million subsidy for the electrification of the RGTR regional bus network.

This investment is being made following a financial contribution from the European Regional Development Fund, as part of the EU’s 2014-2020 Investing for Growth and Employment programme, which is designed to “promote the repair of damage following the crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic and prepare for an ecological, digital and resilient recovery of the economy”. The programme is part of the almost €50 billion Next Generation EU recovery plan.

500 electric buses by the end of 2023

This contribution will allow the RGTR bus network to reach a fleet of 500 electric buses by the end of 2023, providing an electrified network on 77 public bus routes in 2024 and 23,800,000 planned kilometres.

Currently, the RGTR fleet consists of 1,396 buses, of which 158 are electric, representing 11% of the fleet. In 2021, the RGTR bus network in Luxembourg consisted of 465 public and school routes, with more than 9,000 daily trips during the week and 81.5m kilometres travelled. So far in 2022, the number of passengers has increased by 26% compared to 2021.

Read the original French version of this article on the  website.