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RATB’s important modernisation projects

Posted: 22 December 2009 | Gheorghe Aron, General Manager, RATB | No comments yet

RATB is the main surface public transport operator in Romania. From the point of view of density, our public transport network is the fourth largest in Europe with 164 routes (118 bus lines, 26 tramway lines and 20 trolleybus lines), with an overall length of 1,929km double-way. The routes are uniformly distributed, providing convenient transport links and the number of daily trips is approximately 2.3 million.

RATB is the main surface public transport operator in Romania. From the point of view of density, our public transport network is the fourth largest in Europe with 164 routes (118 bus lines, 26 tramway lines and 20 trolleybus lines), with an overall length of 1,929km double-way. The routes are uniformly distributed, providing convenient transport links and the number of daily trips is approximately 2.3 million.

RATB is the main surface public transport operator in Romania. From the point of view of density, our public transport network is the fourth largest in Europe with 164 routes (118 bus lines, 26 tramway lines and 20 trolleybus lines), with an overall length of 1,929km double-way. The routes are uniformly distributed, providing convenient transport links and the number of daily trips is approximately 2.3 million.

In September 2009, RATB celebrated 100 years of serving the Bucharest public. To mark this centenary, a series of events were organised highlighted by a tram parade featuring seven vintage trams – two of which were horse-drawn and were the main attraction. It was a moment to go back in time and recreate the atmosphere of old Bucharest whose nick name is “the Little Paris of the East”, but also an opportunity to present our achievements as well as our future projects.

After 1990 and especially during the past 10 years, RATB has implemented several projects that focus on public transport modernisation, which will adjust efficiency, comfort and functionality of services according to passengers’ demand and EU requirements.

Facing the urban growth challenge

Nowadays, the main problem in the city of Bucharest is generated by the increased number of private cars. Due to this steady growth of urban motorised traffic and increasing number of traffic jams, RATB and the Municipality of Bucharest aim at implementing efficient solutions to streamline urban transportation, mainly traffic management projects with public transport prioritisation.

Thus, dedicated lanes for public transport vehicles (buses and trolleybuses) will be provided on certain crowded routes, and works will be carried out to extend the segregated tram track on some tram lines. At the same time, opportunities are examined in order to close certain areas to traffic (excepting public transport vehicles).

Facing challenges such as the urban growth, as well as the considerable increase of traffic flows, RATB drew up a strategy based on projects that have several main objectives and they all aim at increasing the quality of public transport services. These projects take into consideration the population’s transport needs, the restructuring and modernisation of road infrastructure coordinated by the Municipality as well as the implementation of a new traffic management system in Bucharest.

Tram infrastructure

One objective was the rehabilitation and modernisation of infrastructure, mainly of tram infrastructure. Thus, in 2002 we initiated a tram track modernisation project. This project included the rehabilitation of 110km of tram track in the South-Western area of Bucharest and was co-financed by the European Investment Bank and the General Council of Bucharest City. Within this project we also modernised four tram depots: Militari, Alexandria, Giurgiului and Dudesti.

Over the following years, the modernisation process has continued based on resources from the investment funds allocated by the General Council of Bucharest City. Nowadays, 60% of the tram infrastructure has been modernised and the rehabilitation works are ongoing.

Tram line 41, with its segregated tram track and signal prioritisation at intersections, is a successful example of improved operation when providing the conditions for public transport prioritisation. This tram line has a length of 10km single way and the number of daily trips has reached 100,000. The headway between two vehicles is 1.44-2.3 minutes.

Fleet modernisation

Over the last decade and especially over the past few years a special focus was laid on the modernisation of the vehicle fleet. RATB purchased 1000 modern Mercedes Citaro buses. These vehicles provide facilities for mobility-impaired people, and are equipped with modern devices such as video surveillance cameras for the boarding and passenger areas, LCD display, on-board computer, GPS equipment and wireless networking, WLAN. 500 of these buses are also equipped with air conditioning systems.

In order to complete and modernise our trolleybus fleet we bought 100 ASTRA IRISBUS CITELIS low-floor trolleybuses endowed with state-of-the art equipment and an interior design that offers increased comfort for passengers. At the moment, we are preparing the tender documents for procuring another 150 trolleybuses. The delivery is due during 2010-2012.

Sustainable efforts

RATB has ambitious standards set for sustainable urban transport and aims at promoting less polluting vehicles with lower fuel consumption. Therefore, in the near future we intend to renew our fleet by purchasing more environmentally-friendly vehicles. These vehicles would cover the citizens’ mobility needs but they would also reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Increasing passenger safety and comfort

Another important step in tram modernisation according to LRT standards is the modernisation of rolling stock which aims at increasing the efficiency and safety conditions for passengers, as well as power consumption reduction per transported passenger. Thus, RATB has modernised 290 V3A trams in its own repair plant, URAC Workshops. These vehicles are equipped with choppers which led to a reduction of power consumption by 35-40% as compared to classical trams. During 2009, we also got the type approval for our BUCUR LF tram, equipped with partial low-floor (60%). This tram was designed and manufactured in URAC Workshops.

Traffic management system

A large project that was implemented in Bucharest is the traffic management system. The project consisted of developing a general traffic control system, comprising an area of 140 intersections within the central traffic ring and the North-Southern axis. These intersections are computer-operated, with the possibility to modify the traffic lights cycles and to take real-time actions in case of traffic disturbances. At the same time, prioritisation signal systems will be implemented for emergency and public transport vehicles.

Automated fare collection system

Another objective of RATB’s development strategy was the implementation of a modern automated fare collection system which would facilitate the commercial integration of several public transport operators in Bucharest, thus ensuring a flexible fare offer that would comply with passengers’ current needs.

The fare collection system was co-financed by the General Council of Bucharest City and the European Investment Bank and is one of the most modern systems of this type.

RATB started to implement this system at the end of 2006, and for the beginning, two important public transport operators, RATB and METROREX were commercially integrated. In the future, this project might include the integration with another six operators.

The new fare collection system provides a background for attractive public transport services, and the data collected allow objective and precise analyses regarding the categories of public transport users and the vehicle occupancy rate per lines, areas, time intervals and routes in order to adjust the transport capacity to the real traffic situation.

Mifare public transport cards

So far, RATB has issued over 800,000 Mifare public transport cards that have replaced the classical paper tickets. Until now, these cards could be loaded exclusively at our ticket centres. Following our partnership with BCR (the Romanian Commercial Bank) and VISA, passengers will also be able to load their travel cards at ATMs. All credit or debit cards are accepted, regardless of the issuing bank, free of charge. This is a very simple and practical solution for our customers and it only takes 15 seconds.

There are several loading options: on-line, at our ticket centres (POS application) and at ATMs. Travelers can use the on-line option to load travel options which are not discounted: RATB season tickets, METROREX season tickets and e-purse. The on-line option has been active since September 2009. All VISA and MasterCards can be used for payment, and the operation is free of charge. All transactions are made through the 3D Secure service and therefore they are highly secured.

Singapore was the first city in the world in which travel cards could be loaded using ATMs. London was the first city that introduced a cobranded card.

Bucharest is the only city in the world that offers the possibility to load travel cards on line and the first capital city in the world that provides an integrated solution: cobranded card, ATM, POS and on-line travel card loading.

Future payment options

In 2010, we also intend to launch a multi-purpose co-branded card (RATB-BCR). People will benefit from high quality, rapid and diversified services because this card has three built-in functions: a credit card, a transport card and a contactless payment card. It’s an easy and smart solution to travel around Bucharest. If we consider that London is the only city in the world that has offered such a card so far (Barclays Oyster card), then this is indeed a huge progression for Bucharest.

Summary

In conclusion, taking into account that public transport has many advantages such as reduced costs, use of less urban space and less polution, we intend to offer public transport services which are a sustainable and cost effective alternative to private cars. We are grateful for support from the Municipality and the General Council of Bucharest City and we hope that the investments for modernising the infrastructure and our vehicle fleet will continue despite the difficult financial context.

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