1.3 Existing Sustainable Mobility Projects in Texel

1.3 Existing sustainable projects on mobility in Texel

Texel already had different projects with the focus on sustainability. Texel is an island which makes it a good place to use as a test area. Below different sustainable projects on the mobility on Texel are described.

• Project with electrical cars

In 2008, under the heading 'Texel Gastvrij Elekrisch Vervoer " (Texel Hospitable Electric Transportation) the idea of sustainable mobility puts Texel heavily in the introduction of electric vehicles. Meanwhile, 19 public charging stations across the island in use. The project was used as an important step to make everyone moving electrical on the Island in the long term.

In all sorts of familiar places, like Ecomare, the Waddenhaven and taxi companies on the island, The residents and visitors see clearly recognizable electric vehicles and charging stations. In this project the organisers want to find out under what conditions Texelaars and tourists eventually might be eager for an island that turns entirely on electric vehicles. Led by Urgenda and The New Motion is done extensive research throughout the project. They wanted to answer questions like; To what kind of (legal, mental, financial, technical, organizational) barriers encounter users and other stakeholders? What is needed to make the whole island embrace electric vehicles? And what is the effect of a certain driving behaviour on the quality and performance of the batteries?

To spread the knowledge from this project, different activities where organised like workshops, seminars, market, exchanging of experiences via user groups, information via websites about electric vehicles and the cars where present bij big events on Texel like the Round around Texel and the half marathon.

During the test on Texel, the participants are working on a plan and activities to expand the test of electric vehicles. On basis of the learned lesson within this project, the plans and activities will be readjusted[1].

• Texel testing ground for demand-driven public transport

From 2013 to 2015 Texel is used as an experimental garden for an innovative project on public transport. The traveller is central in this project. Public transport is tailored to the needs and desires of the traveller. This leads to better public transport, so used by more people and for the same money. The project was initiated by Stichting Duurzaam Texel (Foundation for Sustainable Texel) and the municipality of Texel and is heartily embraced by the province of North Holland, which financially supports this pilot.

In the current situation, public transport insufficient to meet the needs of both the residents of Texel as the visiting tourists. This means that some bus services are unprofitable and travellers often than desirable use the car. This can be better does not only think the municipality, village committees and schools, but also by businesses like providers of accommodation, bike hire and Connexxion (bus service).

The Foundation for Sustainable Texel and Texel municipality have brought to the table Connexxion, Texel transport and social parties to deliver tips and wishes. This complements a mobility plan aimed at improving the situation on the island. It is not only used bus, but the overall mobility offer, including taxis, bikes and cars. The working group BOVT (Beter Openbaar Vervoer Texel (Better Public Transport Texel)) operates under the flag of the Sustainable Texel Foundation and was the basis of this plan, in which the traveller is central. Demand-driven rather than supply-driven makes customized transport. The idea is that travellers can take advantage of today's modern communication tools for planning and booking a travel by public transport. Which indicate where the nearest appropriate means of transport is located. A particularly innovative tool in the transport world. This is a great role attributed to the Texel transport. Customized transport means namely that the vehicles will be adjusted to demand: small buses with few passengers and large buses on busy routes. This means in addition to the use of the Connexxion buses, the use of buses and taxis through the transport firms of Texel.

• Texel best cycle route network of the Netherlands

Texel gets top marks in quality monitor for recreational bicycle of the Foundation National Bicycle Platform. "Texel scores four stars and is one of the top bike regions in the Netherlands. In 2011, a cycle network is installed. The network quality is good and the service is well organized, "the report says. The Sustainable Texel Foundation has developed the Texel cycle route network and implemented it in order to encourage cycling on the island and promote it. The municipality takes the management and maintenance on its behalf[2].

[1]http://www.urgenda.nl/themas/mobiliteit/texel-gastvrij-elektrisch-vervoer/ (retrieved 12 November 2015)

[2] http://www.duurzaamtexel.nl/mobiliteit/17-archief/mobiliteit/95-texel-beste-fietsroutenetwerk-van-nederland