ALSA unveils its enhanced bus transportation program for the Asturias metropolitan area.

Oviedo, June 13th. This morning, the passenger transport company ALSA presented its program for improving bus transportation in the metropolitan area of Asturias at its facilities in the Espíritu Santo industrial park in Oviedo. The event was attended by Fernando Lastra, Minister of Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and the Environment, and Jacobo Cosmen, president of ALSA Asturias.

Jacobo Cosmen, president of ALSA Asturias, speaks to the media, accompanied by Fernando Lastra, Minister of Infrastructure, Territorial Planning and Environment of Asturias.

The plan includes the incorporation of 11 new state-of-the-art buses. Nine of them are Setra 419 UL model, with Euro VI category, of which the first units that will start operating tomorrow in the central triangle of Asturias were presented today. The remaining two will be hybrid buses with diesel/electric engine, and are the first intercity hybrids to circulate in the Principality.

The progressive incorporation of Euro VI units represents significant environmental improvements, in terms of emission reduction, generating:

  • A saving of 28% of CO emissions compared to Euro III.
  • A saving of 88% of NOx emissions compared to Euro III.
  • A saving of 80% of hydrocarbon emissions compared to Euro III.
  • A saving of 90% of PM particle emissions compared to Euro III.

These data deepen the comparison between bus and private vehicle, in which the bus emits between three and nine times less than a private vehicle per traveler, so it is confirmed as successful to continue addressing public and private strategies aimed at reducing emissions.

The new ALSA vehicles in Asturias incorporate numerous innovations in the field of safety, comfort and accessibility for People with Reduced Mobility ((PMR).

Thus, the new units have improvements in safety, such as:

  • Alcolock device, which prevents the vehicle from starting if it detects the presence of alcohol in the driver.

  • Anti-slip traction system (ASR).
  • Electronic Stability System (ESP).
  • Fire alarm system for engine compartment control.

Improvements in comfort and travel experience, such as:

  • Ergonomic design of seats generating greater amplitude and improvement in the general accessibility of the bus, as it has been used in other Consortiums such as Madrid or Barcelona.
  • USB chargers for all types of devices in all seats of the vehicle.
  • Latest generation Wi-fi for internet access at no cost to the customer through the latest generation connection with ample bandwidth and availability guarantees.
  • OndRoad on-board entertainment system for viewing multimedia content on the mobile device with a wide range of film and television content.

Latest technology for the accessibility of people with reduced mobility (PMR), such as:

  • Optical acoustic guidance system: positioning with optical-acoustic elements, to guide people with reduced visibility both from the position of the entrance door, on the outside, and from the situation of the ticket validating machines and the seats reserved for them, inside.
  • Location of seats reserved for PMR, by means of a guidance system, with bushings, in longitudinal upper bars. These seats have pushbuttons in seats, with braille writing.
  • Fully automated wheelchair ramps: located in the central door of the vehicle for access with wheelchairs and baby carriages, with the support of the driver with remote control.

For an Asturian company like ALSA, which generates more than 1,000 jobs in Asturias, the incorporation of these new vehicles represents a further step in its commitment to sustainable and safe mobility, allowing it to operate its services generating minimal emissions, and continue to offer its customers in the Principality transport services with high quality standards.

Back to Press Room.