Funchal has successfully completed the procurement of 5 midi-buses that helps revamping the public transport fleet to at least Euro 5 standard. These smaller buses complement the current public transport fleet well as they can replace regular buses in areas where demand is low and during off-peak hours. This is the first time that the public transport service can be adapted to specific demand patterns. An evaluation of the environmental, economic and social impacts has been carried out, as well as an assessment of the energy footprint. This asset provide Funchal with a better understanding of the measure’s contribution to enhanced sustainability and a higher quality of life.
Another major cornerstone of the measure was be the purchase of three new hybrid cars for the public transport operator and one different model to reinforce the municipal fleet. These cars were purchased so as to demonstrate the benefits of clean technology and advertise sustainable mobility. Moreover, the measure was used as a basis for two strategic studies. The first one aims to define the best long-term strategy for a more sustainable public transport fleet. The second one looks at the overhead costs the public transport provider would encounter in the outermost regions of the city. Both studies will be used by local practitioners and politicians to guide forthcoming decision-making processes and to convice european leaders of the specificities of public transport in outermost contexts.
As for the future activities relating to the measure, the Public Transport Operator will keep track of the fleet renewal strategy defined within this measure and will purchase the remaining 13 mini buses (Euro V at least), because the 5 mini-buses already owned proved to be more efficient to operate during non peak hours and on routes with less demand. ERDF will co-fund this purchase.
Moreover, further applications will be prepared in order to access incoming structural funding streams able to compensate for the ultraperiphal location of Madeira and its impacts on the public transport sector.