theme image — © MARC HERREMANS – MEDIA HOUSE
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De Lijn has applied for a permit for a large depot for 40 electric buses in Ghent. There will also be 65 articulated buses, which will initially be hybrid-powered but will eventually also be fully electric. The investment is necessary because De Lijn wants to electrify its public transport. But the vehicles have to be charged.
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jvhSource: BELGIAN
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The site of the Wissenhage depot in Ghent-Wondelgem covers 14 hectares, making it the largest depot operated by De Lijn. There is room for 40 trams and buffer space for 15 buses that are under repair. A central workshop for the Ghent buses and trams, warehouses, an administrative building and car washes will be built. Further on, a practice and exam area for a driving school is also being built.
De Lijn has long been talking about a new depot and workshop in Ghent because the depots in Gentbrugge and Destelbergen are faced with a lack of space. The new Wissenhage depot will be located on the grounds behind Galveston on Wiedauwkaai in Ghent. It is one of the first depots to be adapted from the outset to the storage and charging of electric and hybrid buses.
The building will have 27,000 square meters of green roof and there will also be 10,000 square meters of solar panels to generate the necessary electricity. It is not yet communicated how much the depot will cost, but the new depot will be built according to a DBFM construction to spread the costs. Three consortia are interested in executing the project and will provide a quote for the project by the end of March 2022.
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