Presentation of new 100% electric buses and shuttles operated by CAM and Princess Grace Hospital

La navette du CHPG et les nouveaux bus de la CAM, 100% électriques ©Direction de la Communication – Michael Alesi

On the Place du Palais on Monday 28 March, H.S.H. Prince Albert II officially launched the new 100% electric buses and shuttles operated by the Monegasque Bus Company (CAM) and Princess Grace Hospital. Also in attendance were Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, Stéphane Valeri, President of the National Council, Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, Director of Princess Grace Hospital, and Roland de Rechniewski, CAM Director of Operations.

The greenhouse gas emissions associated with transport account for nearly 30% of the Principality’s total emissions, behind those of the construction industry and energy demand in buildings.
Energy transition in the public transport sector is therefore a key priority for the Prince’s Government, which in June 2021 approved the decarbonisation of the CAM bus fleet.
CAM’s fleet comprises 45 buses, including 22 hybrid vehicles that are helping to reduce fossil fuel emissions by 50%.
The new fleet now has eight 100% electric buses, and all new buses purchased from this point forward will produce zero local emissions.

Given the specific features of the Monegasque bus network (steep slopes, slow commercial speeds, heavy use of air conditioning during the summer period) and the significant operating constraints resulting from the shortage of space in the Principality (underground depot, parking of buses in public car parks, specific parking arrangements during major events), this transition is a major challenge. A number of technical studies and trials have been conducted by CAM since 2020.

S.A.S. le Prince Albert II, entouré des représentants des Institutions, devant les nouveaux bus électriques de la CAM ©Direction de la Communication – Michael Alesi

The gradual changes to the fleet will be introduced as follows:

- Service no. 3 (Fontvieille/Hector Otto), from early April 2022 with the delivery of 10 fully electric Heuliez “midibuses” (9.5 metres in length).

In addition, to meet demand from passengers, who will find it easier to travel to the hospital and Fontvieille Shopping Centre, the frequency of this service will be improved to every 15 minutes during the week, every 17 minutes on Saturdays and every 25 minutes on Sundays and public holidays.

- Service no. 5 (Hospital/Larvotto), with the same midibuses as those introduced for service no. 3, will become fully electric in autumn 2022.

- The other buses offering a daily service on the CAM network’s six routes will gradually switch to 100% electric vehicles by 2025.

The decarbonisation of this public transport service, first introduced in 2022, will offer an improved and more comfortable experience for passengers:

- Increased capacity (65 seats compared with 46 on the current “small” buses) and quiet vehicles;
- Quiet buses offering innovative features including rear-view cameras to help buses pull in at bus stops;
- Bright interiors.

S.A.S. le Prince Albert II, entrouré des représentants des Institutions, devant la navette du CHPG ©Direction de la Communication – Michael Alesi

In addition to public transport, the shift towards low-carbon transport is also encompassing Princess Grace Hospital which, with financial support from the Monaco Government’s National Green Fund, has been able to acquire three 100% electric shuttles to reduce its carbon footprint.
This initiative bolsters the Green Hospital policy initiated in 2010. The shuttles are a replacement for three internal combustion vehicles used since 2013 to provide a service between the workplace and the railway station or the relief car park at ZAC St Antoine.

“These actions are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitious energy transition policy. In addition to improving the level of service offered, decarbonising public transport and transport options used by committed companies and organisations is a key focus for the Prince’s Government. The development of clean, sustainable transport helps to improve quality of life for everyone,” emphasised Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development.