An electric bus for senior citizens in the Netherlands

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected within the Sustainable Mobility research line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Zonnebus Cuijk, NL

Enhancing the mobility of senior citizens in a sustainable way

The Stichting Zonnebus Cuijk (“Foundation Sun Bus Cuijk”) operates in the village of Cuijk (18,700 inhabitants) in the southern province of Noord-Brabant, NL. The Foundation uses an electric bus to transport elderly people through the village to different destinations, including the pharmacy, the library, and the supermarket. By opting for an electric bus, the Foundation puts an emphasis on sustainable forms of transport to enhance the mobility of senior members of their community.

The initiative started in 2015 when a local supermarket in Cuijk closed, forcing people in the neighbourhood to go to the city center for their shopping. This became an issue for several senior members of the community, as they were not able to do their own shopping, were more dependent on other people from the community, and had less local social interaction.

Zonnebus Cuijk seeks to enhance the mobility of seniors and combat mobility poverty through the means of sustainable transport. The bus route goes through the city, stopping at 1) senior complexes and buildings and 2) important locations and facilities in the city. The bus is equipped with dedicated space for wheeled walkers/rollators and easy entry and exit for seniors.

Find out more here.

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