Electric public transport and user freedom of choice, main challenges for sustainable mobility in Spain

18/06/2021

Electric public transport and user freedom of choice, main challenges for sustainable mobility in Spain

image Electric public transport and user freedom of choice, main challenges for sustainable mobility in Spain

The transport sector has experienced continuous growth over the last few years, which makes the challenge of achieving sustainable transport a strategic priority in Spain. In this context, the European University and MWCC have developed a round table in which prominent speakers from the sector have participated, such as M.ª Dolores Ortiz, Director of Mobility of the Madrid City Council; Rosalía Gonzalo López, CEO of the Calle 30 group; Alfonso Sánchez Vicente, managing director of EMT Madrid; o Luis Cabrera Álvarez, Director of Sustainability, Energy and Mobility at CBRE Spain.

Under the title “Sustainable Mobility: New urban challenges in Spain”, the conference addressed the transition process towards sustainable transport and mobility, as well as the role that infrastructures will play in this recovery and resilience plan to bring Spain out of the crisis.

The opening of the conference, held in person at the Campus of Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid) of the European University and also transmitted via streaming, was led by Alberto Sols, dean of the School of Architecture, Engineering and Design of the institution, who has highlighted the great commitment of the University, “not only to share knowledge, but also to expand it, and this is part of our DNA. It is a pride that today you can be here to talk about mobility, about the backbone of any society, and this has to be sustainable ”.

On her part, M.ª Dolores Ortiz, has pointed out the great change that mobility is experiencing in the city. “We are in a moment of impressive transformation. Before, any young person who turned 18 already had his driver’s license and his car. Now, with the public transport pass, there is not so much that need ”. In addition, she has highlighted infrastructures as a fundamental part of this sustainable mobility: “Infrastructures connect cities and people.”

“We are transforming public transportation. We want to take the big step towards electric, electric buses that will transform the city ”, Alfonso Sánchez Vicente pointed out. Debate joined by Rosalía Gonzalo López: “We have achieved a culture of using public transport”, who has also reflected on the advantages and disadvantages, from the point of view of sustainability, construction and management of the plans of new sections of the M-30.