Alstom will deliver its innovative electric bus to Consorcio de Transportes fleet in Aranjuez

First Aptis commercial success in Spain

12 March 2020 - The Aranjuez city local operator AISA has signed a contract with Alstom to incorporate the innovative Alstom Aptis ebus into its urban vehicles fleet. With this signature, the historical and world heritage city of Aranjuez will become the first municipality in the Community of Madrid (not considering the capital) to incorporate a 100% high capacity electric vehicle into the Consorcio Regional de Tramportes de la Comunidad de Madrid (Madrid Regional mobility services Consortium).

Contract signature follows a several-days-test in which the bus, manufactured by Alstom, has demonstrated its adaptability, efficiency and perfect integration in the urban environment and within the rest of the operator's fleet. The Madrid regional operator CRT (Consorcio Regional de Transportes) expects Aptis to enter into service on one of the lines running through the historic centre of the town before the end of the year.

“This is the first commercial success of Aptis in Spain, which we hope to be followed by others throughout this year. During the tests carried out in different Spanish cities, our innovative electric bus has generated great expectation both among operators and among users. This contract constitutes a major new step for Alstom, which aims to be the most innovative world actor for sustainable, smart mobility”, highlights Antonio Moreno, Alstom in Spain Managing Director.

“Mobility in the 21st century is sustainable, or it will not be. That is why I am convinced that this first experience will continue. Not only for environmental reasons but, also, because it is a real opportunity to evolve towards a more efficient, sustainable, comfortable and attractive public transport that contributes to decongesting streets and roads said the Minister of Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructures of the Community of Madrid, Ángel Garrido.

Aptis is 100% electric, so in addition to decarbonising and protecting the environment, it takes care of the architecture and monuments of Aranjuez, an Unesco World Heritage Site.

Thanks to its innovative design, Aptis offers an unparalleled passenger experience. Its berthing system for perfect alignment with the pavement, its low, completely flat floor and wide double doors allow easy movement and convenient boarding for people with reduced mobility and prams. Equipped with large bay windows along its entire length, Aptis offers 25% more glass surface area than a standard bus and a rear seating area with panoramic views of the city. With a length of 12 metres and equipped with 3 doors, Aptis has capacity for over 100 passengers, including 2 PMR.

With a range of more than 200 km, the vehicles requested by AISA is designed for charging at night at the depot. Aptis is also available for occasional recharging at the end of each line, using either ground-based charging solutions (SRS) or pantograph charging.

Aptis was designed to have an optimised total cost. This is possible thanks to reduced maintenance and operating costs and a longer service life than that of standard buses. The aim for local authorities, therefore, is to have a total cost equivalent to that of existing standard diesel buses.

First serial Aptis units, presented at last Busworld edition, are currently entering in commercial operation in Strasburg. Aptis has been also chosen by RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités, and by the areas of Greater Grenoble, Greater La Rochelle, and Greater Toulon, where commercial operations are due this year.