“Catania has always been an example for sustainable mobility, with ambitious attempts which, over time, have materialized, becoming virtuous examples. I am thinking of the AMTS headquarters in the industrial area, where I will go in the afternoon, to take a look at the photovoltaic systems that were built at the same time as the conversion of the fleet to electric vehicles, demonstrating that ecological sustainability is possible, combined with economic and social sustainability ”.
Thus the deputy minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility, Galeazzo Bignamimade his debut in his speech today in Catania, at the Palazzo della Cultura, on the occasion of the national conference on the topic: “Mobility: history and development prospects for sustainable benefits”. An appointment that is part of the broader program of celebrations of 60th anniversary of the birth ofMetropolitan Transport and Parking Company SpA Cataniafounded in 1964 and which since then has been an active and integral part of the life of the Etna capital.
“I am pleased – added Deputy Minister Bignami – to take part in the birthday of this historic company in the city. I want to remind you that this Government has always put the issue of environmental sustainability at the center of its agenda.”
And the deputy minister also recalled how development is also possible through an intermodal network, for example by exploiting the railway stations present in the city, which would give a further boost to local public transport.
“We want to establish a permanent table on the topic of mobility, so that the synergy between all the protagonists is increasingly stronger – said the mayor of Catania, Enrico Trantino. – We feel comforted by the presence of Deputy Minister Bignami in Catania, with whom we will talk about the infrastructural nodes that concern the Etna capital. I believe that the city has understood that sustainable mobility is not only a concept preached, but already practiced by us. We inevitably have to make corrections and improvements. In the past there was perhaps a bit of laziness in considering new forms of mobility other than private transport. Instead, we must identify solutions, many naturally long-term, that can connect the entire extra-urban area. The 60 years of AMTS are a great achievement for the Company, which in recent years has made up for lost time.”
“The ambitious project of this day is not only to start the celebrations of the 60th anniversary, but also to discuss the issues of sustainable mobility – underlined the sole administrator of AMTS, Giacomo Bellavia. – A concrete topic, which we deal with on a daily basis, imagining continuous improvements, new infrastructures and prospects for metropolitan development in the context of the Island, trying to increasingly enhance mobility, also with integrated services. Hence, the invitation to meet with other large Italian entities, such as Rome, Naples, Milan. But also the involvement of sectors such as rail transport, as well as road transport, with new possibilities for intermodal development: think of the railway stations present in the city and which we could make the most of. Today we face very important challenges – added Bellavia – to trace a real path of change. Many things have already been achieved, such as the renewal and conversion of the fleet, energy efficiency, digitalisation services and technological innovation in ticketing and parking, just to name a few. Other challenges must then be addressed.”
After the institutional greetings, there were numerous technical interventions first work sessioncoordinated by the general director of Agens, Fabrizio Molina. Between these:
Paolo La Grecadeputy mayor and municipal councilor for urban planning and mobility
Arrigo Gianapresident of Agens and CEO of ATM Milano SpA
Nicola Pascalesole director of Azienda Napoletana Mobilità SpA
Daniel DiazRegional Business Management and Intermodal Development, TPL Integration Development
Angelo MautoneGeneral Manager of the TPL Department of MIT and Manager of FCE.
“The age of 60 is a considerable period to draw a first assessment. This company, and what it represents in Italy, I believe is there for all to see” he said Fabrizio Molina. While, for the deputy mayor of Catania, Paolo La Greca, “the celebratory moment is accompanied by important milestones, such as the renewal of the fleet and the construction of photovoltaic systems, taking up the ecological challenge in favor of sustainability, but also having created dedicated lines, such as the BRT. Investing in public transport, in fact, is always a great opportunity for a country, comparable to investments made for example in education”.
For Arrigo Gianaconnected online, “the public transport offer must be an effective and efficient alternative and must be attractive, increasingly raising the level of quality”.
Then, Nicola Pascale he recalled how it is good that “we are once again looking with great attention at electric. In fact, even in Naples a lot is being invested in the electrification of our fleets. We are purchasing electric buses and converting our depots to electrification, together with the other great revolution which is digitalisation and investment in new technologies”.
The work continued in the afternoon, again at the Palazzo della Cultura, with the round table on the theme: “Critical issues and prospects for sustainable mobility in Sicily and metropolitan areas. The new horizons of integrated and intermodal transport”. With the planned interventions of:
Matteo IgnaccoloUNICT Full Professor of Transport
Francesco GarraffoAssociate Professor of Economics UNICT
Salvatore FioreDirector General FCE
Salvatore CaprìManager of AMTS Catania SpA
Giancarlo GuerreraAccountable Manager & Engineering Director SAC SpA
Ivan AlboPlanning and PNRR consultant for the Metropolitan City of Catania
Andrea TartagliaExpert in sustainable mobility Municipality of Catania
Finally, the speeches also included the mayors of the participating municipalities, the representatives of employers’ associations, trade unions and third sector associations.
Moderate: Antonio CondorelliManager of AMTS Catania SpA
