Alistair Gordon, Chief Executive, Keolis UK, Middle East, and India | 3 September 2024 Transport Times
As cities expand, their challenges multiply.
The number of megacities – those with over 10 million residents – is set to rise from 44 today to 67 by 2050, with Delhi alone forecast to house nearly 47 million Delhiites by the middle of the century.
Racing toward unprecedented population densities and urbanisation, cities now account for 70% of global carbon emissions, primarily from transport and buildings, with mobility alone responsible for 20% of GHG emissions.
One answer? The rise of the smart city.
Designed to enhance urban life while minimising pollution, climate change and resource wastage, smart cities leverage technological innovations to create sustainable urban environments. Central to this vision is greener urban mobility. Given that in the EU alone buses are the most widely used form of public transport, bus networks powered by alternative fuels play a crucial role in achieving these goals.
Keolis is at the forefront of this movement, with 20% of our bus fleets already running on alternative energy with the vision to increase this to 50% by 2030.
Our operations span urban and suburban bus networks on a global scale, including in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the United States, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden. From city-centre shuttles to Bus Rapid Transit systems and express coach services, we have gained valuable insights into effectively operating low carbon bus networks.
So, what have we learned?
Cutting edge insights
Keolis gains a deep understanding of evolving green transport needs through our Energy Transition Centre of
Excellence (ETCoE), which connects our global experts, in support of PTAs, at every stage of a project’s
lifecycle.
Our experts possess in-depth knowledge of operations, maintenance, vehicles, subsystems, infrastructure, modelling and costing, as well as the transition from diesel to alternative energy sources. They play a crucial role in sharing international best practices locally, enabling bus networks to stay ahead of technological advancements and market trends, and ensuring that our local passengers receive the best in alternatively fuelled buses.
This has seen us successfully operate the largest European fleet of electric buses in Ijssel-Vecht, Netherlands, mobilise 125 electric vehicles in southern France, pioneer hydrogen-powered buses on the Foothill network in southern California and support similar projects in Gothenburg and Karlstad in Sweden.
Integration with other zero emission modes
But alternative buses alone aren’t enough: they shine as part of a broader shared mobility strategy that can significantly reduce the environmental impact of our growing megacities. Keolis operates over 10 modes of transport – including metros, trams, trains and buses – offering low-carbon shared mobility solutions that allow millions to travel without a car, effectively cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
To maximise the benefits of these solutions, we provide tailored mobility options based on energy, vehicles and infrastructure while considering local issues and regulations. By leveraging our Centre of Excellence and expertise in diesel alternatives, especially when it comes to buses, we guide PTAs in selecting the best fuel conversions for their fleets.
For instance, we’re collaborating with the local authority in Ales, southeastern France, to explore innovative solutions, such as introducing a hydrogen-powered bus, converting city-centre shuttles to electric, launching France’s first public carpooling network, doubling the fleet of e-bikes to 200 and rolling out 50 e-scooters. This is just one example of us laying the groundwork for a carbon-free multimodal transport network with the bus
at its core.
Training your team
Investing in electric buses also means investing in our bus drivers. They need specialised training to adapt to new vehicles and driving habits. Unlike diesel buses, electric buses have limited range and the driver’s skill directly affects how far they can go, making vehicle knowledge crucial.
For example, in the ZOU! regional transport network in the Alpes-Maritimes department, we’re electrifying all 19 bus and coach lines by 2030. This project includes a robust training programme for drivers to master new reflexes, procedures, and energy management techniques. We’re also upskilling equipment manufacturers and infrastructure managers to ensure a smooth transition and successful implementation.
Testing new technologies
To enhance any bus network powered by alternative fuels, operators must not forget to test new technologies to improve energy efficiency.
For our ZOU! regional transport network in the Alpes-Maritimes department we are using a powerful data analysis tool that allows our teams to examine patterns in energy consumption per kilometre, assess the impact of outdoor temperatures and analyse driving practices based on energy usage.
By leveraging this data alongside our Group’s expertise, we can identify efficient operational models within the ZOU! network and share insights with other networks using electric buses, such as those in Sweden and Amiens.
Keolis Alpes-Maritimes’s pioneering efforts in bus fleet electrification are setting standards and methods that the broader Keolis Group can now easily replicate.
Looking ahead
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for operating a successful fleet of zero-emission buses. However, establishing a Centre of Excellence, leveraging international best practices and technologies, promoting multimodality, and providing comprehensive training are strong starting points.
With urban populations projected to more than double by 2050 and more cities approaching megacity status, low carbon and low pollution bus networks will be essential in tackling the environmental challenges posed by urban growth.