Ignacio Pérez-Carasa: “En ALSA todo está confluyendo en torno a la sostenibilidad”

In the special programme broadcast by Atalayar from the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), in collaboration with Europea Media, Aviación Digital and the International Press Club, we were joined by Ignacio Pérez-Carasa, ALSA's Director of Institutional Relations, who spoke to us about the new challenges facing the passenger transport company in terms of sustainable mobility. Pérez-Carasa also analysed ALSA's three areas of consolidation: urban, medium-distance and long-distance transport.

ALSA, as a pioneer in land transport, how is it facing the recovery after the pandemic?

With very good expectations and prospects for the future, but facing a harsh reality that makes us adjust to what we have, but we have to say that the projection of public transport in the future is tremendous. Everything is converging around sustainability in the need to use public transport ahead of private transport, so the future is enormous. All European aid is aligned with sustainability and energy transition, and this can only be achieved through highly sustainable public transport.

All of this is accompanied by rigorous safety measures. At ALSA, all vehicles have the highest guarantees to prevent outbreaks of contagion. 

Public transport was initially branded as a possible polluting effect, but this was not the case. Public transport, not just ALSA's, but public transport in general, has not to date been a source of contagion. At ALSA, we have invested huge amounts in air renewal systems, which have ensured that there are no contagions associated with transport. 

At a time when it seems that Omicron and the 6th wave are diminishing, is ALSA noticing this in terms of passenger numbers?

We have had a contraction in demand, in fact since mobility was opened in May and its subsequent consolidation in the summer months, the demand curve was really appropriate and good, now there has been a contraction and this makes us see that we have to live with COVID-19. For our part, we are taking and developing all measures to ensure that transport is safe and in one way or another coexists with mobility.

You have to live without fear, but with a lot of respect...

At ALSA, all the measures we have implemented have been in defence of consumer safety, and as a result there are no contagions associated with public transport. 

Within ALSA's business in Spain, would you highlight any particular line?

ALSA is already consolidated, we operate in three areas: urban, medium distance and long distance, therefore, mobility is guaranteed, due to COVID issues there have been certain mobility restrictions in inter-community areas and this meant that we could not operate. Transport was declared an essential element for the economy and our only concern was to guarantee mobility in any of the areas referred to. 

What has ALSA presented at FITUR?

A 100% electric passenger bus, a demonstration of what we bring in terms of innovation and sustainability. It is an innovative product, in development for two years, implemented on a regular line open to all publics and which coexists with passenger traffic. It is also in the Autonomous University of Madrid, in the DGT and is being developed in the coexistence of autonomous and electric vehicles. 

The electric vehicle, lately with the price of electricity... maybe the hydrogen vehicle is better.

The hydrogen bus is already being presented in the Community of Madrid. Our challenge is to lead the ecological transition in public transport. In addition, as we have a mobility sphere in urban areas, the only energy alternative that exists synergistically in the three models will be hydrogen in the medium and long distance.