ERDF Fund

For the first time in its history, the Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid has obtained European funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), specifically from the 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme for the Community of Madrid. In response to this call, issued with the slogan "A Way to Shape Europe" EMT Madrid put forward several innovative proposals aimed at transforming public transport into a zero-emission activity by focusing on developing sustainable infrastructure and enhancing the efficiency of existing transport systems. These investments aim to promote a shift towards sustainable transportation modes and enhance mobility in Madrid, thereby improving the city's air quality and the quality of life for its residents, in addition to reducing noise pollution.

The European Regional Development Fund, with a strong territorial dimension, is one of the main financial instruments of the European Union’s cohesion policy and aims to reduce territorial and demographic disparities that prevent territorial cohesion. In addition to reducing the disparities between the levels of development of the various European regions, this Fund also aims to boost sustainability through the projects it finances: in the most developed regions, at least 20% of the investments carried out by the European Regional Development Fund must be channelled specifically towards low-carbon economy projects.

The actions of the European Regional Development Fund are managed jointly by the Member States and the European Commission and, within each State, the management is distributed among central, regional and local administrations.

EMT Madrid is carrying out four strategic projects with the European funding obtained, all of them associated with surface public transport in Madrid and aimed at improving the energy efficiency of its facilities and reducing its CO₂ emissions: these four projects include the construction of a hydrogen plant, development of an electric recharging infrastructure, installation of photovoltaic panels and replacement of luminaires.

These four projects are in line with the investment priorities set by the European Union: research and innovation, low-carbon emissions, environmental protection and sustainable transport. The total investment for the projects, which are expected to be completed in December 2023, will amount to 10.5 million euros and the financing will reach a value of more than 4.6 million euros.