LIFE GYM meets OptiTrans

OptiTrans project consortium visited on July 9th, 2019 UTH facilities to be informed about GYM project and discuss issues on urban mobility and transport. The meeting also attended the President of Urban KTEL of Volos, Mr. Nikolaos Evangelinos.

During the meeting Prof. Saharidis presented GreenYourMove application to the consortium of OptiTrans project, the data synchronization study performed and the forthcoming integration of real life data in the application. Then an interesting discussion on several topics covering aspects of urban mobility followed.

Stanley Black & Decker encourages employees to use sustainable modes of transport

As part of its CSR Strategy, Stanley Black & Decker has set the ambitious target of reducing its carbon footprint intensity by 20 percent by 2020, compared to the 2015 baseline. The company’s MOBILITYACTION is one of the ways the team is working toward this goal.

Shenzhen and Istanbul welcome new training centres specific to transport

Shenzhen Bus Group and Marmara Municipalities Union have partnered with UITP on two new Regional Training Centres for three years, and will each organise at least four training programmes per year.

The training programmes will be delivered in cooperation with UITP Regional Training Centres and will help people fulfil their career potential in the sector of public transport and sustainable mobility.

The trainings planned for 2019 under the Shenzhen Regional Training Centre include topics such as service excellence; on-demand bus and shared services; bus planning and execution; and electric buses.

For more information click here.

Sofia signs deal for e-ticketing revolution

Sofia has just signed a EUR 42.5 million contract for the introduction of smart e-ticketing in public transport. The project is financed by the Center for Urban Mobility, Sofia’s municipal company in charge of public transport.

New public transport app developed for child-specific needs

Berlin’s new application will encourage younger users to travel on public transport, whilst keeping them safe and informed. Based on the HaCon Kids App, which utilises child-friendly innovations, the new mobility app, ‘VBB jump’, presented by Berlin-Brandenburg public transport authority VBB, will begin helping a younger user group to travel from door to door – a first step toward safer travel for kids.

New business model for flexible mobility

The Flexible Mobility Centre, for planning and managing different transport services, is built upon the two axes of urban mobility: collective transport and flexible services. The center addresses the two main levels of urban mobility in a coordinated way, where both public (collective) and private components interact with each other: major transport axes and corridors on the one hand, and flexible/ride-sharing services on the other.

Transport for today and tomorrow: the importance of making travel easier

The growing urban population will inevitably increase traffic congestion. And with cities being responsible for 75 per cent of global CO2 emissions, this creates a great need to expand public transportation systems to ensure sustainable mobility. Public transport is an essential part of tackling both pollution and congestion, and travelling by public transport needs to be an easy choice.

Transport Publics 2018, the European Mobility Exhibition

Users’ expectations of public transport are increasingly stringent – and diverse. Consequently, the challenge is to respond to demand in a variety of ways: innovating in terms of multimodal solutions and promoting complementary offerings, geared to current lifestyles and the requirements of sustainable development.

Mobile technology connects Montreal’s transport network

Public transit users in the Montréal metropolitan area now have access to a mobile application called Chrono. Chrono is a mobile app available free of charge for smartphones running the iOS or Android operating systems. The app helps to provide streamlined journeys to its users with continual real-time information, whilst enabling public transport operators to become mobility managers.

Public review launched for new Urban Agenda Partnership on Urban Mobility

The Urban Agenda for the EU is a multi-level and multi-stakeholder initiative that strives to involve cities and urban authorities to achieve Better Regulation, Better Funding and Better Knowledge for urban policy in Europe.

Urban mobility: Torun and Wroclaw develop tram networks with EU funds

€81.5 million from the Cohesion Fund is invested in the tram fleet and network in the Polish cities of Toruń and Wrocław. Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said: "Getting around Toruń and Wrocław will be smoother thanks to these Cohesion policy investments. At the same time this is a new example of how EU funds help us reach our EU-wide objectives of clean mobility".

IT-TRANS 2018: Smart travelers in smart systems

The conference IT-TRANS 2018 on the exchange and advancement of IT solutions in public transport focuses on “smart travellers in smart systems”, with the concept of an integrated urban mobility system at the centre of discussion. It takes place from 6-8 March 2018 in Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre, in Germany.

New era for Athens urban transportation

The “Automatic System for Ticket Validation” of OASA (Athens Urban Transport Organization) is functioning properly and the electronic tickets and cards for STASY network (Urban Rail Transports S.A) are being gradually published without problems.

​The new “smart tickets” of OASA consist of the electronic ticket (ΑΤΗ.ΕΝΑ Ticket) and the non-personalized and the personalized electronic card (non-personalized and the personalized ATH.ENA Card).  The ΑΤΗ.ΕΝΑ CARD is a credit-card size rechargeable plastic card that passengers can charge with several kinds of fare depending on their needs and the fee they want to spend. The multiple ΑΤΗ.ΕΝΑ Ticket is a rechargeable ticket that is aimed at passengers who want to use occasionally or for limited time the public transport.

​For the current transition period, the electronic and the paper tickets and cards will coexist, while the inclusion of all kinds of ticketing in the new system will take place over time so the passengers will have the necessary time to be acknowledged with the new capabilities and benefits that may offer.

​For more information click here

Urban mobility: Riga develops its tram network with EU financial support

Over €65.5 million from the Cohesion Fund is invested in tram infrastructure development in the Latvian capital, in line with the objectives of the Energy Union's low-emission mobility strategy.

​Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said: "The EU invests for a better quality of life in Riga, with a modern and clean public transport system. Traffic will be smoother, air quality will be better and residents and tourists alike will enjoy a fast ride through the city."  The tram line will directly connect the fast-growing neighbourhood of Skanste, near the city centre, to the main transport hubs in Riga – the central railway station, the coach terminal and the Freeport. In addition to rebuilt or new tram line infrastructure, the EU will co-finance the purchase of 12 tramcars to ensure a minimum service frequency of one car every 10 minutes.  

​For more information click here

31 million increase in public transport journeys in Ireland

The number of journeys on subsidized public transport and commercial bus services has increased by almost 31 million since 2013, according to figures released by the National Transport Authority of Ireland.

​In 2013, there were 210 million passengers on subsidised Public Service Obligation (PSO) services, while in 2016, that number went up to 236 million.

​“The figures we are publishing today are an indication that there is a clear demand for an efficient and reliable public transport service,” said Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority.

​For more information click here

5 years of dispatcher workplace of Prague Integrated Transport

The dispatcher workplace of Prague Integrated Transport has been in operation since June 2012. Its operator is a contributory organization of City of Prague ROPID (Regional Manager of Prague Integrated Transport).

The main task of the dispatching centre is to monitor the operation of the routes of the carriers involved in the Prague Integrated Transport System (PID), to supervise the adherence to the timetables and to ensure the mutual guaranteed connections so that the passengers get where they need and on time.

Seven dispatchers in two shifts track more than 2,600 vehicles of nineteen transport companies. In addition to (over a thousand) buses, there are also trains and ferries.

Wielkopolska Transformation In Transportation

The public transport network in the Wielkopolska region of Poland is set to receive massive investment, with a substantial part of funding coming from the EU. The main beneficiaries will be the cities of Konin and Leszno and the areas surrounding them.

​Konin will buy eight low-emission buses, build 8.4 km of bicycle lanes, create bike and ride interchanges with public transport stops, and put up electronic information boards. In seven municipalities surrounding the city, 23.6 km of bicycle routes will be built and 7 new interchange points constructed.

​In Leszno, 8 new buses will be added to the city’s fleet. The city’s transport operator will also introduce a city travel card and rebuild an existing and build a new bus depot.

Read more :  here.

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Prato, Italy

Prato, with a population of 191,000 inhabitants and a density of about 2,000 inh /km2, is Tuscany's second largest city; it lies 15 km north-west of Florence, in the center of a densely populated and highly industrialized plain.

Prato’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan has been the first drawn- up and  approved sustainable urban mobility plan in Tuscany and one of the first in Italy. Prato’s Sustainable and Urban Mobility Plan took as reference methodology the EU guidelines. It outlines the vision of mobility in the city for the next decade.

​Prato’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan has been recently approved and first actions are currently under implementation. However, the ex-ante assessment of the Plan forecasted the range of effects that are (by 2025): - a 20% decrease in overall distance covered by private vehicle. The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan process has been widely based on citizen, association and stakeholder. Over 1,500 people participated and answered to the on- line survey aiming to detail urban and regional mobility demand.

​For more information: click here.

Take part in CIPTEC survey for the future of public Transport sector

Would you like to have a word for the future of the Public Transport sector and improve the quality of life in cities?

CIPTEC (Collective Innovation for Public Transport in European Cities, 2015-2018) project asks from the public to contribute (10 minutes survey) to fill in anonymously the evaluation questionnaire, regarding promising and innovative ideas, concepts and services that could improve the travel experience by Public Transport in European Cities.

The survey is part of CIPTEC, a research project funded by the European Commission through Horizon 2020 Programme. It addresses the challenge for smart, green, and integrated transport. CIPTEC aims at contributing towards the creation of a favourable environment for the growth of Public Transport across Europe.

For more information: click here.

Luxembourg starts operation of all-electric buses

The first commercially manufactured all-electric Volvo buses have started operating in the city of Differdange in Luxembourg. The buses, named the Volvo 7900 Electric, can carry 85 passengers and are 12-metres long with low floors and three doors. They have 80% lower energy consumption than a comparable diesel bus, are silent, exhaust emission-free and are equipped with an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries.

Differdange’s focus on electrically powered buses is part of the city’s ambitious sustainability drive, with public transport forming a crucial focus area. The four electric buses are used on four routes with lengths from 8km to 9.5km. Each bus is driven approximately 25 minutes and then the buses’ batteries are fast-charged in three to six minutes at the end stations using an open interface known as OppCharge (opportunity charging), which follows the ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) recommendations.

For more information: click here.