Cities have an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving the European Green Deal's goals. The European Green Deal outlines a strategy for making transportation fit for a climate-neutral society by 2050, which includes a 90% reduction in transport-related GHG emissions. In 2020, three out of every four EU inhabitants lived in cities, a percentage that is anticipated to climb to 85% by 2050. Cities now consume more than 65% of global energy and emit more than 70% of CO2 emissions.

Considering this, cities will have to be one of the primary focal points of the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. To meet these goals, urban mobility must rapidly decarbonize, while larger transport CO2 emitters reduce. As a result, any future urban and sub-urban mobility solutions must contribute to cities to become more sustainable, quieter, and less polluted. These issues are particularly pressing because urban mobility accounts for 40% of all CO2 emissions from road transport and up to 70% of other pollutants.

The INNOAIR project aims at shifting the way we commute and how citizens perceive public transportation. By introducing the on-demand public transport concept in Sofia with electric minibuses we expect to increase the public transport usage and create new travel models. Additionally, the project partners in cooperation with wider stakeholder groups including telecoms and other organisations evaluate how the project may be further extended and used for tackling commuting traffic in cities with dispersed populations.

Sofia University develops specific simulations that will validate methods for enlargement of the on-demand public transportation in other cities in Bulgaria and EU. For further information, visit our page or get in touch with us directly through social media channels. We would be happy to hear your feedback and suggestions.