Rob Zomerdijk of GVB

GVB, the public transport company of and for Amsterdam, has been working with Fleetshield since 2003. "For much longer than I have been working here," says GVB contract manager Rob Zomerdijk. "What my colleagues and I appreciate most is the quality of the products and work, but also the timely deliveries and the way Fleetshield communicates. Fleetshield really is a chain specialist, which you can learn a lot from as a public transport company."

Protecting trams with foil more efficient

"Paint-spraying vehicles was what GVB was used to, like so many public transport companies," Rob says. "All our processes were set up for it. The switch to protective film took some getting used to for colleagues. They wondered whether it would be more efficient. Fleetshield promised us that we could do more in the same time by opting for foil. This turned out to be true."

Advantages of protective film

Protecting vehicles with film has numerous advantages, according to Rob. "I have made a list for convenience," he jokes. "It is ultimately more cost-effective, quicker to process, and the foil protects our trams from damage caused by graffiti, pelting and etching. If a tram does get sprayed with graffiti, it is easy to remove with more environmentally friendly cleaning agents and without leaving any traces. In case of damage due to scratching or etching, we only need to replace the film layer. This is because the preservation layer remains intact. And treating trams no longer needs to be done in a protected environment either. It can simply be done in the workshop, without special protective equipment."

Assisted mounting protective film

GVB's new M7 in Spain is currently being fitted with protective film by supplier CAF. Fleetshield is supervising the process. "It's great that this is already happening during the production of our new vehicles," emphasises Rob. "This will probably allow the metros to be commissioned earlier. But in the long run, this offers an even more important advantage. Because Fleetshield is involved in the production of the equipment from the beginning, they are building up a lot of knowledge of our vehicles. Once a problem arises, they can act much faster. Knowing Fleetshield, it is then also solved in no time."

Lifetime extending rail equipment maintenance

GVB has also frequently called in Fleetshield for life-extending maintenance of trams. "A vehicle normally has a lifespan of thirty years, but not infrequently it turns out it can last another few years," Rob explains. "We then carry out life-extending maintenance. On a technical level, of course. But we also refurbish the interior and exterior of old trams. Foil is a great tool for that." After all, a tram treated with foil looks like new again and is immediately optimally protected against graffiti, scratches and etching.

"They help you make smart choices"

Making the right choices upstream

The early involvement of Fleetshield in preservation processes Rob warmly recommends to other rail companies. "Precisely because they are a chain specialist. They help you make smart choices, for example when writing a market consultation. They know the processes at rail companies and think along with you from there. Moreover, they know better than anyone what is on offer in the market. This also ensures that the substrate is optimally prepared. You hear it, at GVB we are really happy with a cooperation partner like Fleetshield."