Hersonissos (Greece)
Hersonissos is a city located in the north of Crete, on the Mediterranean Sea in Greece. It is well known for its beautiful tourist resorts. To protect heritage, the city implements a variety of transport measures. It has a permanent population of 21,135 and a de facto population of 53,337 based on data from the 2011 census.
Hersonissos's strategic approach to transport management is currently defined by the transport strategies and by the Intelligent Energy Program.
Achievements to date include innovative measures and technologies such as the GPS taxi system, the GPS system for buses, new bicycle routes, access restrictions for the city centre, a passenger-information system (pilot project), and clean vehicles (electric cars and scooters) in tourist areas. Special emphasis on clean vehicles and alternative fuels has been demonstrated through the introduction of biodiesel fuel for public buses.
Future plans include the collection and use of used oil from restaurants based on a national law that would make it mandatory. The use of natural gas and hydrogen fuel cells (produced by wind energy) in public transport is a mid-term plan.
The city is working on the implementation of sustainable urban transport measures in cooperation with local NGOs and companies. These measures include development and awareness raising in the field of utility bicycling. An initiative to increase the use of biofuels for public transport is being pursued with an association of hotel owners and neighbouring municipalities.
Summary updated May 2017
