Traffic Management: The “Green Light” Project

One of Bucharest’s most pressing challenges is its congested traffic, which makes it the second city in Europe by time lost in traffic. To address this issue, Google’s “Green Light” project, which has been successfully tested in other major cities, is being considered for implementation. This system uses artificial intelligence to analyze traffic patterns and adjust traffic lights in real time, reducing congestion and minimising waiting times at intersections. By optimizing traffic flow, the project could lead to a noticeable decrease in travel times and a reduction in pollution from idling vehicles.

Modernizing Heating Systems

Bucharest’s outdated heating infrastructure is another significant concern. By implementing advanced monitoring technologies, Google’s expertise could help modernize the city’s heating system. This would involve using sensors and AI solutions to detect leaks and faults before they become significant, thereby reducing heat loss and frequent breakdowns. Additionally, the system could optimize energy consumption by adjusting heat distribution based on external temperatures and neighborhood needs.

Broader Digital Transformation

Bucharest’s partnership with Google is part of a broader effort to transform Bucharest into a more efficient and modern city. Other focus areas include optimizing public transportation, enhancing public safety, and monitoring air quality. The collaboration also aims to streamline administrative processes through digital solutions, such as online tax payments and simplified bureaucratic procedures.

A Hub for Innovation

Bucharest’s status as a regional hub, with over 400 Google employees, makes it an attractive location for extending these technologies. The city is poised for a significant digital transformation, and this partnership with Google marks an essential step in its modernization journey.

By embracing digital innovation, Bucharest is set to become a more sustainable and livable city, offering its residents improved public services and a higher quality of life. If these projects are successfully implemented, they could significantly enhance the daily experience of Bucharest’s inhabitants, making the city a model for urban development in Eastern Europe.

This partnership aligns with the Romanian government’s broader efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and public services. Recently, the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Google to collaborate on cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and digital services, further solidifying Romania’s position as an attractive market for technology investments.

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Now, the company providing public transport in Bucharest, STB, wants to enhance its communication in English and offer more valuable information to English-speaking tourists visiting Romania’s Capital.

Overview of Bucharest’s Public Transport

Bucharest boasts a comprehensive public transport network, including buses, trams, trolleybuses, and a subway system. This extensive network connects various neighbourhoods and key attractions, making it accessible for locals and tourists.

The city’s public transport is managed by the Societatea de Transport București (STB) and Metrorex, ensuring efficient service across different modes of transport.

• Metro System: The Bucharest Metro is a backbone for urban mobility, featuring five lines connecting significant areas of interest. The metro operates from early morning until late night, with trains running frequently during peak hours.
• Bus and Tram Services: Buses and trams cover areas the metro does not reach, providing essential links throughout the city. These services operate regularly with over 100 bus lines and numerous tram routes, although they can become crowded during peak times.
• Night Services: Bucharest offers night bus services for late-night travellers, maintaining connectivity across the city after regular hours.

To enhance the experience for international visitors, Bucharest has introduced several initiatives:

• Tourist Travel Cards: The Bucharest Public Transport Tourist Card allows unlimited travel on all forms of public transport for 24 or 72 hours. This card simplifies travel logistics for tourists, enabling them to explore without worrying about purchasing individual tickets.
• Airport Connectivity: The Express Bus 783 provides direct access from Henri Coandă International Airport to central Bucharest. This service operates around the clock, making it convenient for travellers arriving at various times.
• Information Accessibility: Maps and guides are available at tourist information centres, hotels, and online platforms. Mobile apps like Info Transport Bucharest offer real-time updates on schedules and routes, helping tourists easily navigate the system.

Bucharest’s commitment to improving its communication with international tourists reflects a growing recognition of the importance of accessibility in tourism, as announced by Visit Bucharest.

With these positive changes on the horizon, Bucharest is poised to become a more welcoming destination for international tourists.

The ongoing efforts by STB to enhance accessibility and provide clear information will undoubtedly make exploring this vibrant city a more enjoyable experience. As Bucharest continues to embrace its role as a tourist-friendly city, visitors can look forward to discovering its unique blend of history, culture, and modernity more efficiently than ever. Whether hopping on a tram or taking a bus to one of the city’s many attractions, navigating Bucharest will soon be as effortless as exciting!

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Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, the Romanian subsidiary of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, was selected by the Bucharest City Hall following an auction for contracting a loan of 150 million lei (EUR 30 million) to finance several public investments.

We support the Capital City Hall in this initiative to increase the quality of public transport in Bucharest and reduce the impact on the environment in Bucharest. We are convinced that this project will bring significant benefits and will contribute to the consolidation of local infrastructure and to the increase of the quality of life for the inhabitants of the Capital.

Vlad Ponta, Deputy General Manager and Head of the Corporate Division of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Romania.

The loan belongs to the category of green financing. It will be used to co-finance the project “Purchase of less polluting means of transport needed from a public place of public passenger transport in the Municipality of Bucharest,” which is part of a series of vital investments for the city, with an accent. especially on urban mobility and reducing environmental impact.

The funds granted will be used to build an area of 100 autonomous trolleybuses, an essential step towards modernizing and creating the city’s public transport infrastructure.

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The event, visited last year by more than a million participants, will take place between April 6 and October 13, 2024, and includes a series of pedestrian weekends designed to transform public space, otherwise crowded, into temporary relaxation areas for residents and tourists. The temporary pedestrian areas established during the seven months in various central points and in the neighbourhoods of Bucharest are activated through a varied program composed of artistic moments or sports activities.

From theater performances, dance demonstrations, and live street concerts to children’s creative workshops, exhibitions, sports activities and play areas organized by the city’s cultural institutions, “Open Streets” reconfigures the urban space into an open stage for the artistic act and offers relaxation and promenade areas for Capital residents of all ages.

On the first weekend, April 6-7, 2024, Calea Victoriei becomes a pedestrian road between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Romania’s Capital city residents are invited to Calea Victoriei to rediscover the beauty and architectural diversity of Bucharest and watch, starting at 5:00 p.m., the artistic moments scheduled to take place on the pedestrian route.

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Apart from being an exciting city with many fascinating attractions that attract international tourists yearly, Bucharest has one major problem visible to everyone, residents or tourists: traffic. According to TomTom, Bucharest is the most jammed city in the country and one of the most congested in Europe.

No Mayor has been able to approach this problem correctly so far, and the results impact not only the time spent in traffic but also the health of its citizens. Pollution, one of the worst in Europe, made Bucharest one of the least desirable cities to live in.

Bucharest hospitals didn’t rank high in terms of residents’ preferences. Despite some famous private clinics, the public medical system in Bucharest still has plenty of room for improvement.

The irony is that one of the candidates for Bucharest Mayorship is a public hospital director. If elected, will he be able to improve anything in traffic or the health system? This is to be decided by the voters in June when local elections will offer the city a Mayor for the next four years.

Other concerns for the residents are the infrastructure, the education and the parking spots.

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Bucharest Christmas Tree, festive lighting and attractions at the Christmas Market 2023

The 30-meter-tall Christmas tree covered in satin, the light decorations, beautifully decorated houses, traditional and international delicacies, story activities prepared for all visitors, carol concerts, and festive music will all create the magical atmosphere of Christmas right in the heart of the city.

On the opening night, from 18:00, in the Bucharest Christmas Market, the festive lighting will be switched on in the Capital.

Fair of craft, creation and local culinary products

The more than 130 Christmas houses will host craftsmen from all parts of the country, authentic creators and local producers, who will present their art and traditions learned over generations. Visitors will find daily inspiration for gifts and seasonal shopping, from hand-painted globes, ceramic bells, braided wreaths and other specific decorations and ornaments to wooden icons and objects, ii and traditional costumes, toys, accessories, jewelry, ornaments and natural cosmetics. Each handmade product tells a unique story.

The fair also offers traditional flavours and recipes: muffins, pies, cakes and homemade chocolate, pies, jams, and the children’s favourite sweets: gingerbread, lollipops, candies and jellies. The indispensable dishes on the Christmas table will be able to be tasted in specially arranged gastronomic areas, together with hot seasonal drinks. From Romanian delicacies to international specialties, the fair promises a culinary journey full of flavour.

Artistic program at Bucharest Christmas Market 2023

Welcoming visitors of all ages, the 16th edition of the Bucharest Christmas Fair will have two areas dedicated to music specific to the holidays. In the traditional area, the public can listen to carols and Romanian customs, choirs and children’s groups, recitals by instrumental artists, and ensembles of minorities and national communities, and the second area will be animated by DJ mixes on the international rhythms of the most famous songs of the winter season. The official opening is November 30, Romania’s National Day – December 1, Saint Nicholas, Christmas Eve and the two days of Christmas, as well as the weekends, will be celebrated with concerts by ensembles, renowned artists, beloved bands, as well as by particular activities, organized together with the partners of the Bucharest Christmas Fair.

The weekend will be reserved for magic and merriment, with a selection of plays created for the little ones performed on the event stage, starting at noon. From classic stories to adventures and characters loved by them, the shows will take children to enchanted worlds full of surprises.

Visiting Schedule

The Bucharest Christmas market will be open daily, from Monday to Friday, between 12:00 and 22:00, and on Saturday and Sunday, between 10:00 and 22:00. On Romania’s National Day – December 1, the public is expected to start at 10:00 a.m., and on Christmas Day, the schedule is as follows: on December 25, from noon, and on December 26, starting at 10:00.

Access will be free of charge.

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Three other countries are applying to organize the events: Germany, Turkey and Scotland. Following UEFA deliberations, the host cities for the two finals will be announced in May 2024.

I am confident that, as in the case of the other sports events hosted by Bucharest, we will manage to create a pleasant experience for football lovers. It would be an honour for the Capital to host such an event that will improve the image of the city and attract tourists.

Nicusor Dan, Buchest City Mayor

The City Hall of the Capital has an ongoing protocol with the Romanian Football Federation and UEFA through which it undertakes to fulfill the general organizational aspects requested by UEFA, among them the start of certain investments to bring certain elements of the National Arena up to date, but also the development of the mobility plan dedicated to the event and the conclusion of the necessary protocols.

Bucharest also hosted a Europa League final in 2012 at the National Arena, Romania’s largest stadium, inaugurated on September 6, 2011. The capital also hosted the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, as well as the matches of the U21 European Championship.

At the National Arena, the fixture between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao took place in the Europa League final that took place in 2012, scoring 3-0.

In 2024, the Europa League final will be hosted by Dublin, Ireland, and in 2025 by Bilbao, Spain.

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DOCUMENTARY EXHIBITION “BUCHAREST. A STRATIGRAPHY IN MAPS AND PLANS” | SEPTEMBER 13 – OCTOBER 1, 2023 | ARCUB – GABROVENI INN, GROUND FLOOR: BOLTILOR ROOM

The documentary exhibition invites the people of Bucharest to discover the story of the city of Bucharest in the middle of the 19th century in the historic center, in the historical monument building of the Gabroveni Inn, reconstructed through the existing plans and maps, as well as some archival images, as well as some 3D models. “You will be able to relive in an authentic atmosphere from 1846: streets or imposing buildings that have survived to this day, places through which great historical figures have passed, crowded fairs, horse-drawn carriages and carriages, exciting events and histories are revealed through the plans and maps of the Bucharest of old,” explains Mihai Florea, museographer of the National History Museum of Romania, who curated the exhibition at ARCUB together with Ştefan Huţanu, architect and 3D designer.

The exhibition benefits from free access only between September 20-24, on the occasion of “Bucharest Days” and is organized by the Capital City Hall, through ARCUB – the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest, together with the Museum of Romanian History and the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the Museum Bucharest and Lavița Verde. The exhibition can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, between 12.00 and 20.00.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS “BLURRED TIMES” AND “PHOTO ARCHIVE 1992-1993” | SEPTEMBER 13 – OCTOBER 1, 2023 | ARCUB – GABROVENI INN, GROUND FLOOR: BOOKROOM, SALA ARCELOR

Among the rare opportunities to (re)see Bucharest at the beginning of the 90s, the photography exhibitions signed by Dragoş Lumpan present works from the early period of the artist’s training, black-and-white photographs made using the classic film development method. If the works exhibited in “Blurred Times” bring to the fore photos taken at the beginning of 1992, with passers-by on Magheru Boulevard, near the Nottara Theater, the images of the exhibition “Photo Archive 1992-1993” form a collective portrait of Romania 30 years ago years, capturing a series of social, political and cultural events of the time.
The two exhibitions can be visited in the exhibition spaces in the Gabroveni Inn passage and have free access only during the “Bucharest Days” event, from September 20-24. The exhibitions are organized by the CALD Association and Lumina pe cale, in partnership with the Capital City Hall, through ARCUB – the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest. The exhibitions can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, between 12.00 and 20.00.

PREMIERE EXHIBITION “MÉMOIRES – SAMY BRISS RETROSPECTIVE” | SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 12, 2023 | ARCUB – GABROVENI INN, FLOOR: COLUMN HALL, LIPSCANI HALL

The largest retrospective exhibition in Romania of the Israeli artist of Romanian origin Samy Briss, “MÉMOIRES” presents, for the first time to the Bucharest public, works of painting, sculpture, and graphics from all stages of creation, including some of the works that were supposed to be part of the exhibition banned in Romania in 1959. Landmarks of personal and artistic life complete them, also not exhibited in Romania: photos from the workshop and letters from essential personalities of the international cultural world.

The exhibition opens to the public as part of the “Bucharest Days” and is organized in partnership with the Capital City Hall, through ARCUB – the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest, the Embassy of Israel in Romania, the French Cultural Institute and the Union of Visual Artists from Romania.

PAINTING EXHIBITION “GALLANT ALLEGORIES” | SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 12, 2023 | ARCUB – GABROVENI INN, FLOOR: GABROVENI HALL

After exhibiting in the United States, Europe, Lebanon and Israel, the artist of Romanian origin Manuela Holban-Ioanid presents the solo exhibition “Gallant Allegories” at ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni. From real characters (Casanova, Saskia, Maria Antoinette) to fictional characters (Meninele lui Velasquez, Salomea, Herod) from the world of art or the pages of history, the exhibition creates an atmosphere of gallant celebration, with carnival flair, behind which other stories are hidden, other realities, which the viewer is invited to discover. “Gallant Allegories” includes works exhibited for the first time, but also works that appeared in exhibitions organized in Romania and Tel Aviv during 2022

-2023. The exhibition is organized by the Capital City Hall, through ARCUB – the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Bucharest.

CONCERT “STORY FROM BUCHAREST TODAY” | SEPTEMBER 23, 8 PM | GEORGE ENESCU INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL SQUARE

The atmosphere of Little Paris is evoked at “Bucharest Days” by the “Story from Old Bucharest” concert scheduled for Saturday, September 23, on the Enescu Festival Square stage. From the famous tangos, foxtrots, and swings heard mainly in the vaudeville and Revista theatres of the old Bucharest to the classical and cafe-concert music, the show offers a foray into the fascinating life of the stories of an almost lost world and buried under layers of oblivion and which music reconstructs incomparably. The concert presents light Romanian music performed by Miruna Ionescu and Valentin Albeșteanu, accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Râmnicu Vâlcea “Ion Dumitrescu”, conducted by Tiberiu Dragoş Oprea, and Taraful de Oraş.

THE NIGHT OF THE DANCE #2 | SEPTEMBER 23, 17.00-20.00 | “OPEN STREETS – BUCHAREST, URBAN PROMENADE”: IN FRONT OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ROMANIA HISTORY

The 21st pedestrian weekend in the “Open Streets – Bucharest, Urban Promenade” series occurs in the “Bucharest Days” anniversary context. Thus, on September 23, “Open Streets – Bucharest, Promenade” offers Bucharesters and tourists the second edition of “Night of Dance”, organized by the Creator Media Team. After the success of this year’s first edition, organized at “Open Streets – Bucharest”, “Night of Dance” returns to Calea Victoriei and invites the public to celebrate the city through dance. Over 200 dancers from over 15 dance schools prepared three hours of flash mobs, community dance and moments of interaction with passers-by.

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This is a partnership to promote the physical health of public transport passengers. The “Health on Wheels” campaign proposes an educational approach regarding the importance of a correct posture during travel. It will be implemented for a month on 530 buses from the STB fleet in Bucharest. This initiative represents a significant step towards improving the quality of life of Bucharest residents, and its main objective is to provide travellers with valuable tips to maintain a healthy posture in public transport.

In an increasingly hectic world, we often focus on the practical aspects of our lives, such as getting to work or school. However, we often forget how important it is to care for our physical health. Our campaign, supported by STB, aims to remind people that small gestures can make a big difference in health, especially at this time when people return from holidays to school or offices. Correct posture can prevent many health problems, and public transport is an excellent place to start practicing this habit.

Andreea Cristea, CEO of MPR Agency

The “Health on Wheels” campaign will include educational tips in video format that will run on buses in Bucharest. These clips will inform travellers about maintaining proper posture while travelling and provide helpful tips to avoid unhealthy habits affecting your spine and overall health.

We are happy to join this initiative and show that the Bucharest Transport Society is open to such civic projects. Local public transport plays a vital role in the lives of the citizens of Bucharest. We are dedicated to providing them with a healthier and more comfortable experience while travelling with the vehicles of STB S.A. The “Health on Wheels” campaign is an essential step towards improving the physical health of passengers on public transport. It represents an example of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors for the good of the community.

Adrian Criț, General Director

By educating and raising travellers’ awareness of the importance of correct posture, this initiative brings significant benefits to the health and well-being of Bucharest residents.

About MPR Agency

MPR Agency is a specialist healthcare marketing and communication agency awarded the gold trophy at the European Excellence Awards 2022. With over a decade of experience in the industry, MPR Agency is Global Health’s exclusive partner in South East Europe Marketing & Communications – the largest global network of independent agencies operating in the Healthcare industry. With a deep integration of know-how in online promotion, MPR Agency develops campaigns and innovative concepts both for clinics and hospitals in Romania, as well as for pharmaceutical companies, health tech companies, biotechnology or medical startups. The MPR Agency team brings together specialists from all areas of marketing and communication, with extensive experience acquired both within public relations agencies and essential companies. Putting medical prevention first, annually, the MPR Agency allocates pro bono 10% of the agency’s production time to a healthcare NGO.
The agency’s client portfolio includes exclusively medical and MedTech companies: Leventer Group, Neuroaxis, Zetta Hospital, Ovidius Clinical Hospital, Trident Clinics, Stada, Medikali, and Biofarm.

About STB S.A.

With over 150 years of experience, STB S.A. is the largest operator of public surface transport in Romania, having one of the most extensive transport networks in Europe, with a length of routes of 1651 km double track.

As the leading operator of public surface transport in the City of Bucharest and Ilfov County, STB S.A. can respond to the various mobility needs of citizens through a wide range of transport services provided with a fleet of approximately 2000 vehicles (buses, trolleybuses and trams), in recent years significant investments have been made both in renewing the park and in the adoption of modern, digitized payment and information solutions, aimed at increasing the quality of the transport services offered. The tariff offer was made more flexible by implementing the concept of metropolitan lines (which brings together all urban, regional and express lines), as well as by applying the time tariff, creating several types of subscriptions and integrating the tariff offer with that of Metrorex, but also with the train as part of a pilot project implemented on the Bucharest – Otopeni connection.

STB S.A. uses a modern charging system based on contactless card technology. Payment for the trip can be made by SMS, through the YouthTB and 24Pay mobile applications, and with the contactless bank card. At the same time, to improve the travel experience, STB S.A. made the InfoTB application available to users for real-time travel planning, providing information on metro connections. The mission of STB S.A. is to provide surface urban public transport services for the citizens of the Capital, guided by sustainability criteria, contributing to a development that meets the ever-dynamic mobility needs.

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Driving in the city’s dense urban area lost 143 hours yearly to traffic. People driving on Bucharest’s roads spent 277 hours commuting at peak hours.

The only upside for drivers in the Romanian capital is that, on average, a typical 10 km journey took 10 seconds less in 2022 than in 2021. So, drivers in Bucharest might be some of the biggest losers to traffic at peak times, but overall, traffic has improved slightly since last year. In Dublin, the time got worse by nearly two minutes.

I might be 10 seconds less, but the whooping time spent driving 10 km in the city is huge: 27 minutes 20 seconds take an average Bucharest driver to cover this distance.

Bucharest is 7 in the world as the most congested city, but it’s more to it than that. It’s about the pollution that generates such terrible traffic, the diseases resulting from it, and the economic loss caused by the time spent in traffic jams. In fact, according to TomTom, the time lost annually by Bucharest drivers in traffic equals the time needed to read 55 books.

If no congestion in the city, there will be 143 hours spent wisely for each driver. Or less wisely, but even so, drivers could spend their leisure time the way they want. Yes, it’s idealist, but still, hours can be shaved off this statistic by improving the traffic in the city.

What is to be done? Bucharest Mayors try everything, from smart traffic lights and one-way traffic streets to improving public transport in the city, but nothing seems to work. It seems drivers in Bucharest could use the time spent in traffic more innovatively. Instead of cursing the other drivers and horning all the time, one could better learn Japanese on CD. Or German. Or Norwegian. Or any exotic language out there. Having the long calls of the day, while using hands-free, might also seem a good idea. Either way, when you know you have 277 hours spent in traffic each year, you only now realize that time is money.

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