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24 February 2017

CIVITAS Policy Note: Clean buses for your city

Buses are the backbone of many European public transport systems and an important part of the municipal public transport fleet in the majority of the EU Member States.
The policy note produced by the CIVITAS Wiki project, provides policy-makers and public transport operators with an overview of available bus technologies and guides them in the initial strategic choice of a clean and more efficient energy bus concept.
The main conclusions of the policy are the following:
  • Diesel buses are still the most economical buses with the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Natural gas buses are readily available from the major manufacturers, but costs are higher and emission advantages over diesel have diminished with the introduction of new diesel technologies.
  • Buses running on biofuels are more and more widespread. Their TCO is comparable to the TCO of diesel buses.
  • Diesel hybrid and gas hybrid buses can reduce GHG and pollutant emissions by around 20%. Hybrid buses will have somewhat higher TCO as regular buses but this may diminish over time.
  • Full electric buses are starting to become commercially available.
  • Hydrogen fuel cell buses are considered a promising option, but are currently still in an experimental stage.
  • For both electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses high investment costs in infrastructure are necessary.
For more information: click here.

EU Transport Scoreboard 2016

The European Commission has published the 2016 edition of the "EU Transport Scoreboard", a benchmark which compares how Member States perform in 30 categories covering all aspects of transport.
The objective of the Scoreboard is to help Member States identify areas requiring priority investment and action. 
The Netherlands tops the Scoreboard for the third year running with high scores in 15 categories, followed by Sweden, Germany and Austria. While they have different strengths, they all share a solid framework for investment, good transport safety scores, and a good record of implementing EU law.
The main findings:
1. Low emission mobility
There is progress across the EU towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility, however, levels are still low. To this end, the Commission adopted a European Strategy for low-emission mobility in July 2016
1. Infrastructure
Some positive effects of investment can be seen in the perceived quality of transport infrastructure.
1. People
Consumer satisfaction with all modes of transport (urban, rail, air) has increased across Europe. This suggests that people's needs are understood and that the right investment decisions are being taken. Moreover, the number of road deaths is stagnating, while the number of women employed in the transport sector is increasing. 
For more information: click here.

EU promotes sustainable urban mobility by funding the extension of the Warsaw Metro

In line with the objectives of the Energy Union's low-emission mobility strategy, the EU is investing over €432 million from the Cohesion Fund in the extension of the Warsaw Metro.
The major project adopted for Warsaw will fund the extension of the Metro Line 2, linking the Eastern part of the city to the West. A total of six new metro stations will be constructed, three stations in each part of the city.
The project also foresees the construction of a technical terminal, the purchase of 13 new trains as well as preparatory works for further extension of the line. Works are expected to be completed by November 2019.
The Warsaw Metro currently consists of two lines. The first segment of Line 2 opened in 2015, with EU financial support.
For more information: click here.

20 February 2017

Train services to resume in Northern Peloponnese

After more than a decade Greece is about to see a part of the never-ending railway works in Peloponnese finishing. Infrastructure Minister, Christos Spirtzis and ERGOSE (Services for Hellenic Railways Organisation) administration addressed a press conference where the Minister confirmed that in the summer 2017, it will be fully ready and operational, while TRAINOSE Chairman, Filippos Tsalidis, also confirmed that train services will resume in the area by next summer.
The electrification of this section will take place while the railway line will be in operation. For the duration of the upgrade, trains will be starting from Athens with electric engines and switch to diesel engines in Kiato station. This will mean a slight delay for the passengers.
The distance between Athens and Rododafni will be covered in just 2 hours, on a fully upgraded, double track, high speed line that has nothing to do with the pre-2005 state. The electrification of Kiato-Rododafni section is expected to be completed in 2019.
Apart from the line electrification in Kiato-Rododafni section, a contract for the superstructure, electrification and signaling between Rododafni and Psathopyrgos is also expected to commence in 2017. Finally, in the next months we expect the railway infrastructure works in Psathopyrgos-Rio section to begin, while the contract for superstructure, electrification and signaling will start in 2018 and be completed roughly in 2021.
For more information: click here.