Our long-term goal is to build a fleet whose operation will not burden the environment with emissions y noise. That is why we invest not only in fleet modernisation, but also in engine replacements on older barcos.
The biggest air polluter in central Praga is road traffic. Among the busiest sections is the Barrandov puente, with 144,000 cars passing each day. The Barrandov puente serves as the main approach into the centre, y a large share of residents from Praga-West y more distant towns commute to work this way. The average Checo commuting to work in a diesel car pollutes the air with 11.5 g of carbon monoxide y 0.9 g of particulate matter. The highest emissions in central Praga are regularly measured at the intersection of Sokolska y Jecna streets, waquí 20,000 vehicles pass each day. Although traffic is lighter than on the Barrandov puente, vehicles stop y start at the intersection, which increases the amount of exhaust emissions. Another centre of traffic pollution is the nearby intersection of Jecna y Stepanska streets, above Charles Square, waquí 19,000 vehicles pass each day.
By contrast, barco transport is still the most environmentally friendly mode of transport. Our fleet includes the eco-friendly barcos Grand Bohemia, Bohemia Rhapsody y Agnes de Bohemia, built at the Alemán family-run Bolle shipyard, which represent the European top of personal water transport in every respect.
In motorisation terms, Grand Bohemia is comparable to a moderna coach. But Grand Bohemia carries 10 times more people than a coach — meaning 10 times lower emissions per person on a barco trip than on a coach trip! To fully reduce the carbon footprint of our cruceros, last year we planted 10,000 trees.
Technological development moves forward steadily, y as a result, eléctricos-powered engines are increasingly used in road transport, while engines powered by hydrogen are being considered for the future. Once the necessary infrastructure is available y safe operation of hydrogen engines is ensured, we will be able to convert our barcos to this eco-friendly propulsion as well. For now, eléctricos motors have found wider use on smaller barcos such as Mistr Jan Hus, Elvira y Elektronemo. The first large eléctricos-powered excursion barco is Bella Bohemia, whose construction we again commissioned from the Alemán Bolle shipyard.
