In 1967, Roger De Ridder (76) was the very first driver to drive into the new De Lijn depot at the Draakplaats in Zurenborg. “I had to wait half an hour, because they were still laying the last paving stones at the entrance,” Roger remembers. 57 years later, Roger had the honor of driving the same bus into the new Mortsel depot on Sunday. “I am so curious about the new depot.”
Tonight all the Lijnbuses will drive to Mortsel for the first time, where they will become the neighbour of Deurne airport. The depot at Zurenborg will close its doors for good and will be taken over by AG Vespa.
“The depot is completely climate neutral, has green roofs, solar panels and various sewage systems to collect polluted water and rainwater separately,” says Hicham El Mzairh, Head of Operations at De Lijn.
Charging stations are provided and there is room for a total of 150 buses. — © Sarah Van den Elsken
The gigantic complex in Mortsel offers space for 150 buses. “Sixty places are equipped with a charging infrastructure. With an eye to the future, it can be installed anywhere. Several parking spaces are shielded by a thick stone wall. If one of the electric buses catches fire, the fire can be quickly nipped in the bud while other buses can drive to a safe place.”
With a system of license plate recognition, the buses are assigned a logical place when they enter. “That is how we sort the vehicles that need to go for inspection or maintenance.”
“Sometimes I looked with shame at our buses driving around dirty in the winter. Because the washing area at Zurenborg was in the open air, the vehicles could no longer be washed when freezing temperatures were reached. But dirty buses are a thing of the past with our covered washing area. There is heating in the walls, which also makes it pleasant to work. All the water is collected and reused.”
© Sarah Van den Elsken
Head of Operations at De Lijn, Hicham El Mzairh, proudly shows the new covered washing area. — © Sarah Van den Elsken
Thirteen technicians will take care of the maintenance of the buses. “In the workshop, small repairs can also be done, such as lighting, tires, mirrors. The major repairs are still done in Rumst.”
Zurenborg
On the opening day of the depot, residents of Zurenborg were also invited. Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA) is pleased with the smooth cooperation between De Lijn and the city of Mortsel. “We have been waiting for this for a long time. The outdated depot in the increasingly busy district was in urgent need of replacement. We are pleased that Mortsel has given us the opportunity to use this space.”
Employees of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum on Diksmuidelaan were also allowed to come along. Erwin Lesire (62) brought everyone safely back to Zurenborg and primarily ensured that the 1964 bus could transport the passengers safely.
“I have been a volunteer for the museum for years. Many are former colleagues from De Lijn. We still like to tinker with the old buses and trams. Others choose to provide the vehicles with a new coat of paint. I worked for years as a technician at the depot in Zurenborg and this last return trip in the bus from 1964 is a nice ending for me.”
Roger (left) and Erwin were regulars at the Zurenborg depot and transported all visitors in this 1964 bus. — © Sarah Van den Elsken
Roger was the first to enter the Zurenborg depot with the 1964 bus. He now also entered the Mortsel depot with the same bus. — © Sarah Van den Elsken
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