The event took place in Debrecen, Hungary—one of Central Europe’s most dynamic and rapidly growing urban centers. On April 2 and 3, EPC actively participated in the third transnational meeting of the European project EnCLOD (Enhancing Governance Capacities of Local Authorities Using Open Data).
The event was hosted by DKV Debrecen Public Transport Company Ltd., the city’s exclusive public transport operator, which provided an excellent overview of how digitalisation and sustainability can transform local governance.
DKV’s Role: Innovation and Smart Mobility in Debrecen
DKV is not only a public transport operator, but also a genuine innovation laboratory. With an extensive network of 73 tram, bus and trolleybus routes, the company has undertaken a major green and digital transition in recent years.
Its main initiatives include:
- the introduction of latest-generation low-emission Euro 6 buses and fully electric vehicles;
- the installation of smart stops to improve the passenger experience;
- active participation in strategic European projects through its internal Debrecen Smart City division.
Thanks to this forward-looking approach, DKV represents an ideal partner for testing the open-data solutions promoted by the EnCLOD consortium.
Demographic Challenges and New MaaS Models
Debrecen is experiencing unprecedented economic and industrial growth, driven by major investments in the automotive and battery-manufacturing sectors. This economic development is expected to result in a population increase of approximately 50,000 residents over the coming years.
Such rapid growth requires forward-looking urban planning. The local administration and DKV are already designing an expansion of the public transport system, including the extension of bus routes and, above all, the integration of MaaS — Mobility as a Service — solutions.
The objective is to provide citizens with a single digital platform through which they can plan and manage their journeys in an intermodal and sustainable way.
The EnCLOD Pilot Action: Low-Cost Sensors and Territorial Data Management
A central element of the Hungarian stage of the EnCLOD project was the pilot action implemented in Debrecen. The trial involves the installation of a network of low-cost sensors to collect territorial data related to local public transport.
What makes this approach particularly innovative is that the collected information will not remain isolated. Instead, it will contribute to the creation of a structured portfolio of open-source company data.
This information resource will be essential for:
- developing advanced digital services within the MaaS ecosystem;
- supporting policymakers in managing the city’s future growth in a sustainable manner.
Field Study with EnCLOD: A Journey on the Historic Tram
The programme also included a field visit aboard a historic tram.
This experience allowed EPC and the other consortium members to connect the city’s historical heritage with its vision for a technological future. Participants were able to observe the innovations introduced within the local transport system and strengthen the exchange of good practices ahead of the next phases of the EnCLOD project.
