TMB secures €21.24 million for sustainable mobility boost

Credit: Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has has announced that it has been granted a substantial subsidy of €21.24 million from the second round of the Next Generation Funds, earmarked for local entities. The funds will facilitate the acquisition of an environmentally friendly fleet, encompassing 36 hydrogen buses, 23 electric buses and two trains.

This development follows the recent announcement by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA), which unveiled the resolution in response to TMB’s submissions through the city councils of Barcelona, Hospitalet and El Prat.

The second tranche of funding adds to the impressive tally TMB had secured in the initial call for aid (MITMA 2021), which amounted to €40.49 million. This earlier subsidy had been intended to bolster TMB’s electric bus infrastructure, including on-board video surveillance and metro information digitisation. In total, TMB is poised to receive an impressive €61.73 million from European Funds, propelling an ambitious investment worth €131.24 million.

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TMB’s commitment to sustainable mobility aligns with its 2025 Strategic Plan, where electrification takes centre stage. With the infusion of new emission-free vehicles, TMB aims to have a quarter of its fleet operating with zero emissions by 2024. The upcoming year will witness the integration of 232 electric buses and 44 hydrogen-powered counterparts, resulting in a reduction of 4,785 tonnes of CO2 emissions and 22 tonnes of NOx annually.

In addition, TMB has also been collaborating with energy suppliers to ensure the swift operation of its electric bus fleet. Out of the 101 electric buses, a significant 97 are already in operation, with the remaining four units anticipated to hit the streets imminently. This collective effort marks a significant leap towards TMB’s vision of sustainable and efficient urban transportation.