SCANIA: NEW PERSPECTIVES ON URBAN TRANSPORT
Scania, the Municipality of Södertälje, Stockholm Public Transport and Swebus have started a unique co-operative effort to build the urban transport system of the future. Reduced environmental impact, stronger customer orientation and intelligent solutions will increase the attractiveness of the city environment. The goal is to have a world-class urban transport system in place by 2011, based on the Scania Hybrid Concept Bus which was launched during the UITP- exhibition in Helsinki last year.
The objectives of the co-operation are to increase the number of people travelling by
public transport, reduce emissions and improve urban transport in general. The
planned transport system for Södertälje will be quite different from the urban
transport systems we see today, especially in terms of community finances,
environmental impact and attractiveness.
Buses are a natural part of the project. Bus transport is flexible and can be adapted
cost-efficiently to changing capacity needs over time. However, sustainable urban
transport includes much more. Solutions for distribution and waste collection are also
important elements.
Some solutions that are being discussed and developed for Södertälje city are:
• Downtown Södertälje will be car-free and access secured via a park & ride system
• Quiet and low-polluting hybrid shuttle buses running on renewable fuels will
transport passengers free of charge from the parking area to hotspot locations
• A Bus Rapid Transit system will secure an effective integration of the park & ride system in central Södertälje and its surroundings
• Modern information technology will bring live updates about bus and train
departures, as well as live news
• Quiet and low-polluting hybrid distribution trucks, running on renewable fuels, will
deliver goods from cargo terminals into the city centre
• Waste management will be an integral part of the transport system, including
hybrid vehicles for refuse collection
• Transport needs of local industry will be integrated into the system for optimal
Synergy.
The changeover in Södertälje will be gradual and the goal is to have the system up
and running by 2011. Recently a feasibility study was initiated to assess the effects
and the capacity required. The study will be finished by mid-2008 and will be
followed by a demonstration project.
