RATP Dev, through its Italian subsidiary Autolinee Toscane, will be operating 12 new electric buses with related charging infrastructures in Florence. These buses, funded by the European Union under the Italian National Programme Metro Plus 2021-2027, will soon enter service in the historic center, enhancing the city’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility.
These electric buses add up to a fleet of up to 2,700 constantly modernized buses, already operated by Autolinee Toscane, the only public transport network operator in the region. Over 3 years of existence, the company has been continuously investing and developing more sustainable and accessible transport modes, bus depots and digital solutions, to constantly improve passenger experience, fostering local employment and reducing the use of private vehicles. The introduction of these 12 new vehicles is part of a broader electric bus fleet expansion planned under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Within 2 years, 82 electric buses will be entering service in Florence, contributing to advancing the city’s sustainable transport network.
Autolinee Toscane has played a pivotal role in this initiative, coordinating the overall operation in line with agreements with the Tuscany Region and the Municipality of Florence. The company managed public funding, launched tenders for vehicle supply and charging infrastructure design, and supervised the construction work. The twelve 6-meter Karsan model buses are perfectly suited to navigate the narrow streets of Florence. Equipped with manual ramps and energy recovery systems, they offer a comfortable and efficient travel experience for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility.