The Hague, December 9, 2025

The Utrecht Provincial Executive (GS) was allowed to grant the concession for public transport by tram and bus in the Utrecht Binnen region to Transdev and reject Qbuzzs bid. This was decided today by the Administrative Jurisdiction Division (CBb). 

The Concession for Utrecht Binnen

After a tender procedure, GS granted the concession for public transport by tram and bus in the Utrecht Binnen region to Transdev. Qbuzzs bid was rejected. The bids were evaluated by an assessment committee. GS adopted the advice of this committee. The concession starts on December 14, 2025, and has a duration of 10 years. One of the goals of the tender is a sustainable concession with the requirement of 100% zero emissions by 2028. 

Qbuzzs Position

Qbuzz is the current concession holder and disagrees with the granting of the concession to Transdev. According to Qbuzz, Transdevs bid is unrealistic because it will practically not be possible for Transdev to operate nearly zero-emission vehicles at the start of the concession. Transdev did indicate in its bid that it would do so. According to Qbuzz, Transdevs entire fleet of zero-emission buses will not be delivered on time, and there is insufficient power available to operate these buses. Also, a battery must be installed for which a permit must be requested, which will not be granted quickly. Furthermore, infrastructure for charging must be constructed at two depot locations, which will disrupt Qbuzzs operations.

Qbuzz also considers the assessment committee not expert because it did not include specialists in electricity or electric charging.

The CBbs Judgment

The CBb judges that the assessment committee had sufficient knowledge to evaluate the measures of the transition plan towards zero emissions in the bids. It was not required to describe the measures in a technically very detailed manner in the bid. GS sufficiently motivated the evaluation of Transdevs bid and why Transdevs bid was rated higher than Qbuzzs.

Furthermore, the CBb judges that Qbuzz has not demonstrated that Transdevs bid was unrealistic. A bid is unrealistic if it is clear beforehand that it cannot reasonably be fulfilled. The objection committee examined and considered Qbuzzs views on the feasibility of the transition to 100% zero emissions. The CBb does not differ from the objection committees judgment. The claim by Qbuzz that there is insufficient power available for operating electric buses is not assessed by the CBb. Qbuzz assumed more charging points than Transdev indicated. The fact that one supplier will not deliver electric buses and Transdev contracted another supplier does not mean Transdevs bid is unrealistic. Transdevs bid shows that it contracted multiple suppliers under certain conditions to ensure timely delivery of electric buses. Qbuzzs own experience that obtaining a permit for placing a battery is not easy is insufficient to make Transdevs bid unrealistic. Finally, the CBb judges that it is not an award criterion that Qbuzz must be able to continue operating the current concession without disruption until the new concession holder Transdev takes over operations. The concession to Transdev provides for arrangements to integrate its preparations into Qbuzzs current operations. 

After the Hearing at the CBb

After the hearing, Qbuzz submitted a letter from GS regarding the start of Transdevs concession. The CBb saw no reason not to issue a ruling now and to reopen the investigation.

This ruling is final; the Administrative Jurisdiction Division (CBb) is the final judge in this case. The full ruling can be consulted via the link below. In case of differences between this press release and the full ruling, the latter is decisive.

For further information, please contact:
Celeste de Wit, press office department, tel. 06 22812976 or CBb Administration 088 362 3910.



Rulings

    ECLI:NL:CBB:2025:645