Keolis employees fly today at the bus stations in Zwolle and Apeldoorn. They call on passengers to sign a petition for the survival of the regional carrier.
The provinces of Flevoland, Overijssel and Gelderland believe that Keolis will no longer be allowed to drive in the IJssel and Vecht region with effect from the new timetable – from 13 December 2020. The problem is that the company has committed fraud by making secret agreements with the Chinese bus builder BYD. That was not fair compared to other companies that would like to drive in the IJssel and Vecht regions, including Connexxion.
The Flevoland member of the Provincial Executive Jan de Reus previously compared the situation with that of a cyclist, who benefits from the use of an electric motor. “Then you will be taken out of the race,” he added Broadcaster Flevoland.
The decision of the three provinces to withdraw the concession is not yet final, Keolis has until Tuesday to object. That is a reason for the works council to fly today and have a petition signed by drivers and travelers. The petition, which now contains 1200 signatures, will be presented on Monday to Provincial Executive Bert Boerman.
Traveler is the victim
Henry Hulleman of the OR added RTV East that the traveler becomes the victim. He fears that as of the new timetable, there will be far fewer buses on the road, regardless of which carrier the choice is made. And that in turn has consequences for the number of bus drivers who will soon be able to drive in the IJssel and Vecht regions. According to Hulleman, there are now about 150 drivers in training, who will soon be able to write a job on their stomach.
Regional manager René Nekkers estimates that 125 full-time jobs will be at stake from 13 December. He agrees with the employees that withdrawing the concession is an ‘disproportionate’ penalty. “We have identified the errors ourselves and have also opted to report them,” he replies Omroep Gelderland. “We have taken measures. Then you think: honesty takes the longest. There is no doubt that sanctions would be imposed. But in our opinion this is the most severe punishment you can impose.”
Sit on the blisters
Nekkers also wonders why Keolis is being punished so hard for the misconduct of “some people”. “Should you punish the whole company? Apparently what happened could have happened without a double check. This should not be possible anymore, we will take measures there. But I still assume that we live in a society in which you, if you are honest and transparent, and properly indicate what went wrong, you do not have to sit on the blisters in this way. “
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