Hersonissos (Greece)

Hersonissos is a city located in the north of Crete, on the Mediterranean Sea in Greece. It has a permanent population of over 27,000, hovewer, its de facto population is estimated to be over double the number. Hersonissos is well known for its beautiful touristic resorts.

Hersonissos's strategic approach to transport management has been defined by the city's 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.

Hersonissos' website Hersonissos' YouTube page