Its boundaries are defined by: the Cantabrian Sea in the north, the Principality of Asturias in the west, Palencia and Burgos (Castilla and León) in the south and Basque Country in the east. It boasts a good transport network, by land, air and sea. Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region.

CANTABRIA IN BIONIC
Cantabria is participating in the BIONIC Project through two organisms. On the one hand, the General Directorate of Transports and Telecommunications (DGTyC), and on the other hand, the Foundation Innovation Centre on Integral Logistics Cantabria (CTL).

General Directorate of Transports and Telecommunications (DGTyC)
DGTC's main activities are related to regulation, coordination and promotion of public transport. Nowadays, this institution controls everything related to passenger road transport in the region.

DGTC is working on different projects in order to modernize the regional transport system. Currently the DGTC is implementing the Regional Transport Plan for Cantabria which includes different main lines, such as the development of an integrated public transport network in metropolitan areas: coordination of services and timetables, implementation of a contact-less card and a global payment system, intermodal stations, night services and introduction of NIT- improvement of information. Besides, the DGTC is also working on the improvement of rural transport services, which includes demand responsive services, increase of services connecting with main villages, coordination with school buses, building of interchange infrastructures, etc. the DGTC is also promoting accessibility for disabled people , intermodality and the introduction of NIT in order to update the bus companies and provide reliable information for passengers. On sustainability, the DGTC is working on the introduction of renewable energies , less contaminant sources, etc.

CTL CANTABRIA
The "Foundation CTL Cantabria" is an innovation centre created in 2005 by initiative of the regional Government of Cantabria ( Spain ), which, together with the main firms and institutions belonging to logistics and transport sectors, constitutes the Patronate. The Patronate of CTL is formed by the Regional Industry, Work and Technological Innovation Regional Ministry, ALSA, Port of Santander , University of Cantabria , Christian Salvesen, Bergé, the World Trade Centre and AirNostrum, among others.

To reach its aim CTL takes part in technological R&D projects, contributes to technological transfer and promotes innovation, generating knowledge and qualified human resources in this sector. These activities are developed in three different frames: regional, national and European, and in four thematic areas:

•  Technological area of Intermodal Freight Transport

•  Technological area of Intermodal Passengers Transport

•  Technological area of Knowledge Management and Multiagent Software Systems for Multimodal Transport (Semantic Web)

•  Technological area of Transport Economy

•  Sustainable transport

One of CTL's most important achievements is the creation of the CNC, "Spanish National Excellence Centre in Logistics", recently presented and officially recognized by the Spanish Education and Science Minister. CNC is a network project with the objective of enhancing enterprise competitiveness and the generation of knowledge in logistics. Its performance is aimed to give scientific and technological support to this sector.

Among the activities of CTL in the CNC, together with ITENE (Valencia) and ZLC (Zaragoza), it deserves special attention the creation in June 2006 of "LOGISTOP", "Technological Platform for Integral Logistics", to promote and enhance innovation and technological development in logistics and to define the R&D priorities that will be included in the Strategic Research Agenda of the Spanish Ministries.

CONTACT DETAILS OF CANTABRIA
Tel:
Web-site: www.gobcantabria.es / www.transportedecantabria.es / www.ctlcantabria.com
Contact Person: Irene Andres (BIONIC Project Partner)