Towards a climate neutral EU:
efficient allocation of EU funds

Narrative

Narrative

The project “Improving ambient air quality in Burgas Municipality through modernisation of public transport” includes the supply and commissioning of 56 electric vehicles for the needs of public mass transport in the municipality, related charging facilities and infrastructure, as well as integration with existing electronic charging systems, automatic vehicle positioning, video surveillance and real-time information of passengers. The project envisages the supply of the following types of vehicles and additional equipment: 10 new 18 m articulated electric buses; 34 new 12 meters electric buses; 12 new 9-metre electric buses; Charging stations and accompanying infrastructure; Additional equipment and integration into existing public transport management systems. With the purchase of new electric vehicles, the reduction of ambient air pollution by PM10 and NOx, and reduction of noise and environmental vibration will be ensured. One of the main expected results of the project is to increase energy efficiency and energy savings. The technologies in the production of electric vehicles for public transport prove their exceptional efficiency in terms of energy consumption. The new vehicles will contribute to the improvement of the quality of the services, as well as the attractiveness of the public transport among the residents and guests of Burgas Municipality. The commissioning of electric buses contributes to reducing noise pollution in the city as well. The improved urban transport system is expected to lead to a reduction in the use of private cars, which will help reduce congestion and their consequences and thus improve the quality of life. The project aims to achieve the following specific objectives: Reducing the negative impact on the environment through the replacement and modernization of the rolling stock of public transport in Burgas Municipality. The implementation of the envisaged activities is planned to achieve: reduction of fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides pollution from public transport; establishment of an urban travel model based on clean vehicles and formation of a new culture of sustainable urban mobility; Increasing energy efficiency by diversifying fuels and energy carriers in public transport; Increasing energy independence and fuel diversification are part of the City's strategies for more efficient public transport. The introduction of electric vehicles into the municipal transport system will reduce fuel and energy costs and reduce the life cycle costs of vehicles; Improving the reliability, comfort and travel time of public transport in the territory of Burgas Municipality.

Good practices and innovations

As a result of the succesful implementation of the project, Burgas will become the first city in Bulgaria with all electric public transport. Further, the technical characteristics of the new vehicles are further increased, since the public transport reach will be extended and redirected to serve suburban areas of the municipal transport scheme. The routes of the suburban lines not only pass through areas and villages on the periphery of the municipality, but have significant mileage on the busiest boulevards and streets their final stop. In addition, in combination with T1 and T2 lines of the trolleybus transport, significant areas of the city will only be served by environmentally friendly vehicles. Regarding their technical characteristics, the buses, offer a fully comfortable service to passengers, with access is provided for citizens with reduced mobility, dedicated seats for wheelchair users and mothers with baby carriages. The dedicated seats are marked and secured. Besides, the vehicles have attracted two new solutions in the passenger compartment. The first is an air purification system, which is a preventive measure for the spread of viruses. Another novelty is the presence of USB ports for charging personal mobile devices in the passenger compartment.

Financial data

The total project cost equals 82 043 674.80 BGN (33 233 972.28 EUR), whereas the own funding is 17 043 674.80 BGN, the total amount actually disbursed is 52 000 000.00 BGN, and the total EU co-funding equals 85.00 %.

Recommendations

Potential risks for the successful implementation of the project could be a delay in implementation, insufficient communication with the civil society, and, as a result, lack of public support.

Information sources

Other info

https://kohesio.ec.europa.eu/en/projects/Q3884286 https://www.burgas.bg/bg/novini/predstaviha-parvite-novi-elektroavtobusi-na-burgas/