TPER: a key player in the ecological transition through transport

In view of the next edition of Traffic, scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 October 2026 at BolognaFiere, we are republishing the interview with Paolo Paolillo, Director of TPER, conducted on the occasion of last year’s edition.

“TPER is the leading mobility company in Emilia-Romagna. We see ourselves as one of the key players in the ecological transition, as a partner of local authorities in defining and implementing a model of the city that is inclusive, open, diverse, smart and accessible to all.”

This is how Paolo Paolillo, Director of TPER, describes the company’s role, stressing that its contribution aims to be decisive in terms of the ecological transition. Bologna is among the cities that have signed up to the 2030 carbon neutrality pact, a challenge that is also a cornerstone of the company’s mission. TPER operates according to an energy and technology mix model, using different powertrains to meet and adapt to the various requirements of public transport services and the local area.

“In urban areas, we are focusing on electric mobility,” says Paolillo. “That is why we already have a significant fleet of battery-electric buses. In 2026, these will be joined by the first 127 hydrogen-powered vehicles, which are also electric, generating energy through fuel-cell technology. Bologna also has a long-established tradition of trolleybuses, with one of the most significant networks in Italy. Here too, we will soon be using vehicles that are no longer dual-mode, but fully electric.”

The 2030 target

According to Director Paolillo, if Bologna’s urban transport becomes electric, suburban and interurban mobility will rely on hydrogen and natural gas, as far as possible in its “bio” form, with a significant share of the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas, which offers a range comparable to that of internal-combustion engines. With this energy mix, TPER aims to achieve the 2030 target, and is already on track to meet its roadmap.

“Beyond the challenge of emissions, the company is committed to contributing to the so-called modal shift from private cars towards different, more sustainable mobility solutions,” he continues. “We are doing this with our bus fleet**,** but also through a 100% electric sharing service, which since 2018 has offered first cars and now also scooters and pedal-assisted e-bikes. There are 300 cars (Volvo EX30), 100 electric scooters and almost 300 e-bikes. TPER is one of the very few public transport groups to have chosen to operate its own sharing service as well.”

How does he see the market? “In Italy, the sector is still not regarded as central and strategic. More resources and greater attention would certainly be desirable in order to bring our country into line with the most advanced international examples,” Paolillo replies.

Traffic 2025: an interesting challenge

And what about the experience at Traffic 2025? “At the exhibition, it was possible to see an EMV validator and also get a taste of passenger information systems, both on board vehicles and through the regional Roger app,” concludes the TPER director. “The challenge posed by Traffic is an interesting one. We expect the event to continue growing, making it increasingly clear that ecological and economic sustainability must go hand in hand with a strong focus on the social impact of public transport designed to meet everyone’s needs. It is an ambitious goal that we work towards every day.”