Amsterdam public transport operator GVB is exporting its retired diesel buses to various countries as it transitions to an emission-free local fleet by 2028, AT5 reported on Saturday.
A TikTok user recently spotted a familiar blue-and-white GVB bus in Albania, sparking questions about how it got there.
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According to data from traminfo. nl, export destinations for old Amsterdam vehicles have shifted over the decades.
Before 2000, buses went to Suriname, Cuba, and Africa. Between 2000 and 2010, they were sent to Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
Since 2020, many GVB buses have been exported to Germany, Italy, Albania, and Romania, where they are often used for public transit, hotels, schools, or airport transport.
Hugo Richter, a ProRail specialist and author of "Bestemming Buitenland," tracks old public transport equipment through international databases.
He noted that these buses often replace even older, more polluting vehicles abroad.
Richter said the deployment of these buses abroad is increasingly temporary until those countries also transition to electric transport.
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A municipality spokesperson told AT5 that strict rules require removal of GVB logos and branding before sale, though enthusiasts still recognize the original color schemes.
Domestic Challenges: Rising Accidents and Staff Strain
Meanwhile, GVB faces significant internal challenges.
Its recent annual report revealed a 10 percent increase in traffic accidents, with total collisions rising to 965, exceeding the internal target of 639.
GVB attributed the rise to extensive traffic diversions from 470 temporary measures during events and construction.
Director Claudia Zuiderwijk noted that sickness absence rose to 9 percent, with nearly half of the workforce experiencing excessive workload due to staff shortages, tight schedules, and passenger aggression.
"We see that the busyness and adjustments take a toll on our employees," GVB stated in the report, explaining that drivers face constant route changes and delays.
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Despite these operational hurdles, passenger satisfaction remained high, with nearly 87 percent of surveyed riders rating the service seven out of ten or higher.
