Connexxion was formed on 10 May 1999 from a merger between transport companies NZH, ZWN, Midnet and Oostnet. Its name is a mutation of the French word connexion meaning connection. In January 2007, Connexxion took over Utrecht public transport operator GVU and Nijmegen operator Novio.[1] In 2007, Connexxion's 33% shareholding in Syntus was sold.[2]
On 12 October 2007, Connexxion was privatised with a 67% stake purchased by Transdev-BNG-Connexxion Holding BV (TBCH), a consortium consisting of Transdev (75%) and Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten (BNG) (25%), beating a Deutsche Bahn / Rabobank consortium and FirstGroup.[3][4][5][6] This gives Transdev 50%, BNG 17%, and the government a 33% stake in Connexxion. In February 2013, the government's 33% shareholding was purchased by Transdev, increasing its shareholding to 86%.[7][8]
Connexxion's parent company, Transdev Netherlands, also had another operation called Veolia Transport Nederland. The branding was replaced with the Connexxion in December 2016.[9] As a result, Veolia Transport Nederland's Haaglanden operations were rebranded to Connexxion.
As of January 2016, Connexxion operated 1,900 buses and coaches.[11] It operates the only trolleybus network in the Netherlands[12][13] and, in 2017, introduced double-deckers on one route. Connexxion also owns bus companies Hermes and Novio.
In December 2013, Connexxion commenced operating the IJsselmonde, Rotterdam concession for 10 years.[14] In December 2017, Connexxion will begin operating the Amstelland-Meerlanden concession for 10 years.[15] An order has been placed with VDL for 100 Citeas SLFA electric buses. This will make it the largest operator of electric buses in Europe.[16]
Rail
Connexxion is contracted to operate the Arnhem to Doetinchem concession until December 2020 and the Vallei line concession until December 2021.[17]
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