Hera's entire fleet is managed with a view to optimising vehicle management and technological development while paying constant attention to the question of the environmental impacts of resource consumption, atmospheric emissions and noise.
Approx. 13% of the corporate fleet vehicles use low-environmental impact fuels (i.e. methane, biodiesel and electric powered vehicles). In 2005, these vehicles accounted for 7% of kilometres travelled by the fleet as a whole.
128 new vehicles joined the fleet in 2005 (18 are methane-fuelled).
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
In 2005, the actions of the previous years directed toward reducing the environmental impact of the commuting habits group staff at the Bologna area Berti Pichat and Frullo locations. Awareness and facilitation actions were conducted to reduce private car transport and increase use of less environmentally harmful means of transport. These actions consisted in promotion of commuting by public transport and bicycle.
At the close of 2005, more than 140 staff members took advantage of special conditions for purchase of year bus and train tickets (50% discount price). New bicycle racks were installed (bike parking space for approx. 100 bikes). This measure was followed by special conditions (amounting to a maximum payment of 100 euro per person for the purchase of a bicycle and accessories or for maintenance). A shuttle bus service was started up in June between the Stazione Centrale (central station), Berti Pichat and Frullo. The shuttle runs a dozen times a day. It was started up for the benefit of commuters working at Frullo, while also providing an internal mobility system for staff mobility during working hours between Frullo and Berti Pichat. The service is entirely free for staff members. It has been accepted as a valid initiative for the purposes of the scheme set up by the local provincial government (Provincia di Bologna) for 50% financial aid as a measure designed to reduce automobile traffic between the city of Bologna and the municipalities in the immediate vicinity.
Yearly monitoring data reveal that, between 2003 and 2005, the number of cars used for commuting per 100 employees has fallen from 74 to 65 (a reduction of more than 10%). This is a highly significant result since the 850 staff members based at the Berti Pichat location include many shift workers, and senior and other management team members. The nature of the tasks of these operators works against use of public transport. Car travel has been replaced mainly by bus and train travel and, to a lesser extent, by use of bicycles and the company shuttle service.