Sustainable public bus transport in Barcelona

Transport in Barcelona

Background

Barcelona is a city in northeastern Spain and functions as the capital of the Catalonia region. The city is on the Mediterranean Sea, with a major port. It has a metro area population of around 5.7 million as of 2024, making it Spain's second most populous city. With about 27 million annual visitors (according to the Ajuntament of Barcelona), Barcelona's formal public transportation system, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), serves both locals and tourists with a comprehensive public transportation network including buses, metros, tourist buses and a funicular. TMB was founded in 1979, but the city had had public transport long before that. As of 2023, TMB has reported having 106 bus lines with 2,653 stops, and a demand of 147.27 million journeys a year. TMB's evolution reflects a commitment to sustainability, tracing back to 1906 with the city's pioneering urban bus line. Over time, initiatives aimed at efficiency and eco-friendliness emerged, notably in the early 21st century with certifications like ISO 14001 and trials of cleaner technologies such as electric buses powered by compressed natural gas and hydrogen. By 2022, Barcelona had made significant strides, with 70% of its bus fleet comprising low or zero-emission vehicles. The city now aims for complete decarbonization by 2030, exemplified by initiatives like the H16 line, Spain's first 100% electric bus route. Alongside these efforts, Barcelona's public perception of transportation is shifting positively, driven by sustainability-focused initiatives such as park-and-ride facilities, zero-emission bus lines, and an expansion of bike lanes by 40%. These measures not only address immediate challenges but also lay the groundwork for a sustainably resilient city, aligning with Barcelona's commitment to environmental stewardship and providing a model for future urban development.

Timeline and transition from diesel to electric

The evolution of Barcelona's urban transportation system shows a move towards sustainability over the years. Beginning in 1906, with the start of the first regular line of urban buses by La Catalana, Barcelona became a pioneer in Spain, setting the stage for the development and continuation of public transportation systems across Europe. As the bus routes and city expanded, the bus companies recognized its need to move towards being more efficient and eco-friendly with its transportation systems.

By 1922, the buses in Barcelona were being used frequently and by many, marking the establishment of the first real network of buses that catered to the city's needs. However, the onset of global conflicts and resource constraints brought about changes aimed at sustainability. In 1940, in an effort to conserve fuel, lines running parallel to tram lines were eliminated. This showed that the transportation systems were started to become more aware about saving their resources and thinking about environmental impact.

The turn of the 21st century marked a significant shift towards environmental responsibility in Barcelona's transportation sector. In 2001, the Barcelona buses obtained ISO 14001 certification, signaling a commitment to environmental stewardship. Other projects and initiatives were focused on innovation and the adoption of cleaner technologies, for example hybrid and electric buses, and natural gas buses. In 2003, Barcelona initiated trials of electric buses powered by compressed natural gas and hydrogen, paving the way for a greener future. TMB's commitment to sustainability in regards to their buses became even more clear in 2018 with the launch of the European ZeEUS project, introducing the first 100% electric vehicles into the fleet.

By 2022, the city had made substantial progress, with 70% of the fleet comprising low or zero-emission vehicles. Looking ahead, Barcelona aims to have only electric, hybrid or natural gas buses by the end of 2024, and complete decarbonization of its bus fleet by 2030. An example of their success would be the H16 line, which is the first 100% electric bus route in Spain. Barcelona as a city has placed an importance on sustainability and the buses are no different, each day they are making improvements to maximise efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Shaping public perception of transportation

The city's actions to enhance sustainability and efficiency are improving public perception of the city's public transportation.

One initiative is park-and-ride facilities which connect to public transportation. This strategy not only alleviates the congestion within the city center, but also offers an accessible and convenient option. Further, the city is committed to changing completely to zero-emission buses. Residents approve of this, and such actions show the city's dedication to combating the environmental impact of motorized traffic.

Barcelona plans to expand the current network of bike lanes by 40%. This promotes a more active mode of transportation and will reduce the city's reliance on motorized vehicles. A safe and extensive infrastructure for cyclists is aimed at encouraging residents to be active.

With residents making about 9.1 million daily trips, and motorized traffic accounts for 50% of metropolitan pollution. Harnessing and implementing solar energy will lead to a reduction in CO₂ emissions. Barcelona is committed to innovatively addressing environmental concerns.

All these evolutionary initiatives focus not only on sustainability, but also on efficiency and accessibility, and not only address immediate challenges but also lay the foundation for a sustainably resilient city in the future.

Environmental impacts

TMB is at the forefront of combating pollution and advancing sustainable urban living in Barcelona. Recognizing the city's significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning pollution from motorized traffic, TMB has emerged as a leading advocate for eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Barcelona faces alarming levels of atmospheric and acoustic pollution, exacerbated by a high density of vehicles per square kilometer. To address this issue, TMB focuses on providing a sustainable, high-quality public transport service aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change impacts.

TMB has introduced environmentally friendly buses. Buses are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrids, and electric propulsion, and this significantly reduces pollutant emissions, including CO₂, NO_x, and PM₁₀ (coarse particulate matter). This transition not only improves air quality but also contributes to the city's overall environmental health. Moreover, TMB's commitment to sustainability extends beyond fleet management. The company actively invests in retrofitting diesel buses with particle filters and adopting cutting-edge low-emission technologies: thus reducing the environmental footprint of TMB's operations and paving the way for innovative solutions in urban transportation.

The environmental impact of TMB's sustainable buses is substantial. Using these buses rather than private vehicles significantly reduces CO₂ emissions, contributing to a cleaner and healthier urban environment. Furthermore, TMB's dedication to energy efficiency and sustainability promotes economic and social development by fostering connectivity and accessibility within the city.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, TMB continues to expand its fleet of environmentally friendly buses. In buying 46 CNG hybrid buses, TMB stands out as a trailblazer in low-emission public transportation in Europe.

See "TMB in Action, a Sustainable Journey."

See also

• Transport in Barcelona
  • Buses in Barcelona
• Autoritat del Transport Metropolità
• Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona
• Urban planning of Barcelona