The new coaches represent a radical change in terms of sustainable mobility: zero emissions, zero noise pollution.

Barcelona, 26th September 2024 – The UTE formed by Grupo Julià and Moventis, leading companies in sustainable mobility in Spain, has been awarded the contract for the Barcelona sightseeing bus service, following the open tender launched by AMB (Metropolitan Area of Barcelona) last March. The UTE will manage the service for the next 12 years.

The two companies have made a significant commitment to meet the electrification requirement set forth in the tender, which has involved an initial investment of 42 million euros. The 44 new units for the service are 100% electric, zero emissions, which will save up to 1,600 tons of CO2 annually and reduce noise pollution to almost zero. Furthermore, they will assume the construction, maintenance, and operation of the necessary infrastructure—electric substation, chargers, panels, hoses, etc.—to guarantee the renewable energy supply for the new fleet. Additionally, all the electricity consumed will come from the purchase of 100% green electricity with a guarantee of origin. The support and maintenance vehicles will also be electric.

All units will comply with the Environmental Sustainability Plan, which involves periodic audits aimed at reducing consumption, emissions, and noise pollution from the vehicles, and adherence to AMB’s guidelines during episodes of high atmospheric pollution.

The proposal presented by Grupo Julià and Moventis will significantly enhance the flagship service of inbound tourism in the city, which until now was operated with traditional buses, and will facilitate the decentralization of its users and stimulate economic activity in areas beyond the city’s historic center. Furthermore, the UTE will pay AMB a fixed annual royalty of 3.85 million euros and a variable royalty of 16.14% of the turnover. At the end of the concession, the electric units will become the property of AMB.

The new service will be launched at the beginning of 2025 and will feature 2 operational routes (Orange and Green) and two seasonal routes (Night and Christmas Lights). The Orange Route, with 19 stops and a length of 23 km, and an approximate duration of 150 minutes, begins at the World Trade Center and ends at Passeig de Colom. The Green Route, with 14 stops and a length of 19 km, and an approximate duration of 120 minutes, begins at Pla de Palau and ends at Passeig Picasso. The Night Route, 17.4 km long, with no stops, lasts approximately 90 minutes and will allow passengers to see the most iconic points of the city at night.

The Christmas Lights Route, with an approximate duration of 90 minutes, will show users the city’s light displays during the Christmas period.

The vehicles, double-decker and with a capacity of up to 82 seats (61 on the upper deck and 21 on the lower deck), are equipped with ramps for passengers with reduced mobility and wheelchairs. They also feature an operational assistance and information system (SAEI, which allows monitoring from a control center), a video surveillance system with at least three cameras, a driving assistance system, efficiency and safety features, an individualized audio guide in up to 16 languages, WIFI system, USB connectors, individual headphones, etc.

About Grupo Julià:

Grupo Julià is one of Spain’s leading business groups specializing in global tourism and sustainable mobility services. Present in 20 cities across 8 countries (Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, USA, Argentina, Mexico, Andorra, and Morocco), the company serves over 12 million customers internationally and operates a fleet of more than 450 vehicles.

The company is organized into three main divisions:

  • Tourism Division: Through the brands Julià Travel, Julià Tours, This is Med, City Sailing, and Julià Tours & Tickets, it covers the main services in the tourism industry, including tour operations and inbound tourism services, among others.
  • City Tour Worldwide Division: The City Tour brand has become one of the leading international sightseeing bus operators, with a total of more than 4 million passengers annually in major tourist capitals (Barcelona, Madrid, London, Rome, Mexico City, etc.).
  • Transport Division: Through the brands Autocares Julià, Autocares Nadal, Direct Bus, and Julià Premium, it specializes in discretionary, regular, special-use, and luxury coach services.

About Moventis:

Moventis is the business division of Moventia specializing in collective mobility, covering urban and interurban public transport as well as discretionary services. This division brings together all the companies in the group that are dedicated to passenger transport, employing a wide range of vehicles, including buses, coaches, trams, shared vehicles, and public bicycle rental systems.

In addition to managing local mobility, Moventis is the driving force behind the group’s international expansion. In 2016, it began its internationalization phase with the public bicycle service in Helsinki, and nearly seven years later, it is present in three continents (Europe, Asia, and America), offering various transportation services.

In numbers, Moventis employs over 7,300 people, transports 252 million passengers annually, and operates a fleet of 2,508 buses, 41 trams, and 40,000 bicycles. The company operates in 50 workplaces, consolidating its position as a global reference in mobility.

For more information:

Mateu Llinàs – Communication Grupo Julià
mllinas@manifestacom.com – 93 342 51 59 – 629 716 107

Xabier Martínez, Verónica Mur, and Noemí Martín – Communication Moventis
moventia@romanrm.com – 934 142 340 – 650 038 723