5th peer review was held online on 21. April 2021. in Alba, Romania. On peer review, our project partner from Romania (Municipality of Brașov) was present one of good practice – Electric public transport networks – trolleybus systems upgrade. The City of Brașov is one of the largest cities in Romania and public transport is one of the levers to provide sustainable mobility for its citizens and surrounding areas. In 2015 the Municipality has approved a sustainable urban mobility plan that addresses the following challenge in public transport sector: improving the quality, security, integrity and accessibility of public transport services, covering the infrastructure, rolling stock and services. To answer to this challenge the Municipality has identified a solution in upgrading and expanding the existing trolleybus system. 26 new trolleybus vehicles have been contracted with a financial support from EU non-reimbursable funds provided by Regional Operational Program 2014-2020, in a joint procurement coordinated by the Ministry. The vehicles have replaced an older trolleybus fleet.
The trolleybuses are 18-metre long to provide high capacity transport. An aerial wire network provides the main power traction. The vehicles are equipped with power traction batteries to provide an wire-free autonomy of 5 km. The batteries are recharged during service operation from trolleybus grid and provide a support to extend the services ahead of infrastructure expansion, with carbon free traction system.
The main stakeholders are the Municipality of Brasov, the Metropolitan Transport Authority of Brasov. Main beneficiaries of the practice are the citizens of Brasov area who benefit from carbon-free public transport system.
Up to 2018, Brașov City used to operate a bus fleet based on internal combustion engines, where more than 90% of vehicles were EURO4 or less. Implementation, starting with November 2015, when the municipality decided to upgrade the bus fleet to lower carbon footprint. The municipality purchased 52 electric buses with 80% financing from the Romanian Administration of the Environmental Fund, in two lots, of 42 and 10 buses, respectively. The battery electric buses have replaced an older diesel bus fleet, to provide more reliability and better services.
The 42 buses in the first lot have a length of 12 meters, with 3 double doors each, fully low floor, centrally located electric traction motor (rated power: 160 kW, with braking energy recovery), traction batteries (capacity 263 kWh, minimum range 200 km, minimum service life: 5 years). The 10 buses in the second lot are 8-m long, will have a minimum transport capacity of 50 people of which at least 16 on seats (for 8m buses).The duration of use of electric batteries is at least 5 years and ensures a range of at least 200 km. Electric batteries will allow a fast charge (15-30 minutes) and a slow charge (maximum 6 hours) without losing their functional qualities.
The main stakeholders are the Municipality of Brasov, the Metropolitan Transport Authority of Brasov, RATBv (the public transport operator). Main beneficiaries of the practice are the citizens of Brasov area who benefit from carbon-free public transport system.
