Local public transport (LPT) is an important factor in the growth and competitiveness of territories. This paper describes the functioning of this service in the main Italian cities, highlighting the organizational and institutional determinants and the effects on people's mobility. It also examines the impact of the pandemic and outlines some possible scenarios for the evolution of the sector.
The degree of satisfaction with and the demand for LPT services are low by international standards; within the country, they are lowest in Southern Italy. The quantity and quality of the LPT offer is correlated with the efficiency of the companies that manage it. In this sector, dominated by public operators, the contract for delivery of the service is awarded in a few cases through competitive tenders. In the medium term, the LPT offer must be more environmentally sustainable and take into account the evolution of demand for mobility.
