Valencia shows how to turn public transport greener

The Valencian Urban Transport Company (EMT) presented in Brussels its latest innovative initiative for a sustainable public transport: the URBANBAT project. This project is financed by the European Commission through the LIFE-Environment programme.

Designed as a pilot project in this first phase, Urbanbat defines an integral management model for the liquid waste generated during the operation and maintenance of the public transport fleet of EMT Vehicles in Valencia such as water from washing buses, engines and heating systems, or used brake fluids.

The aim of the project is to dramatically reduce pollution generated by EMT. For this reason, it tries to incorporate innovative models that are more environmentally friendly during maintenance operations. More specifically, Urbanbat aims at prolonging the life span of products used for the maintenance of the fleet of vehicles, reducing water consumption and setting up alternatives to the incineration of liquid waste.

The result will be a clean integrated process that uses easy technologies at a relatively low cost, while improving the quality and security of the service offered.

The Info Day, organised by the Valencian Regional Office in Brussels, was attended by representatives of regional entities, enterprise associations and technological institutes. Mr. Juan Manuel Revuelta, Head of the Valencian Regional Office in Brussels, opened the seminar by highlighting EMT’s efforts in the past few years in achieving a more sustainable urban transport for the City of Valencia. Mr. Revuelta also stressed the will of the Valencian Regional Office to further cooperate with innovative initiatives such as Urbanbat developed by Valencian entities.

Transferability to other sectors

During his presentation of Urbanbat, Mr. Novo explained that the model developed for EMT can be transferred to any other transport organisation or maintenance service: urban and interurban transport in general, freight transport by road or railway, or repair and maintenance of vehicles including washing and oiling equipments.

Meanwhile, Mr. José Alberto Millán, Desk Officer for LIFE projects at DG Environment (European Commission), praised the scientific quality of Urbanbat for its innovative nature and its contribution to environmental protection. He also stressed the outstanding activities carried out by EMT in the field of sustainable urban transport and the experience of the Valencian Region in developing and disseminating innovative initiatives.

Sustainable urban transport

With this new LIFE project, the Valencian Urban Transport Company EMT has strengthened its position as focal point for innovation in environmental issues aiming at optimising energy management, improving the quality of its services and increasing environmental protection of the city. Since 2002, EMT has played an active role in the LIFE-TRAGAMOVIL project and it has led the LIFE-ECOBUS project in its efforts to offer an increasingly ecological and sustainable urban transport.