Abstract

This paper aims to present the research study conducted in the city of Brindisi in Italy: it is a city of 89,846 habitants with a density of 270/km2, where the Public Transport Company of Brindisi (S.T.P. SpA) provides public transportation in the city with 54 buses and 19 lines. Our research focus is on urban transport choices that cover most vulnerable users. Mobility data was collected in 2013 by running a survey on 581 housing units. The idea is to illustrate through real data and empirical results that link mobility needs and behaviour of the population in Brindisi, with a particular focus on some vulnerable population groups: women and the elderly (population aged over 65). Through the statistical analysis of data, several insights are provided on needs of these specific user groups. Gender issues and social equity of aging population are key aspects to consider in urban policies. In addition, the potential willingness to pay of users to obtain a general improvement in bus service quality is investigated through discrete choice modelling. The idea behind this study is to overcome the crucial impediment in understanding urban travel patterns and the key forces behind user attitudes which normally characterise city dynamics. Therefore, attitudinal and behavioural variables are considered to evaluate the propensity of using buses and changing habits for modal choices by the elderly and women through a random utility model. Results from the Brindisi case study allow a comprehensive understanding of the mismatch between transport demand needs and the public transport service supplied, and of the possible measures to be implemented in terms of transport policy. We believe, that these findings can be easily replicated in other geographical areas with similar transport users profile and population structure, where there is the need to reduce the car use and to provide a correct accessibility to elderly and women. The analysis from the survey show that for Brindisi there is the need to take action through some focused intervention on public transport services able to meet the specific demand needs of most vulnerable groups. The lack of bus users’ satisfaction is so high that the obvious solution to most seems to be car use. This is mainly due to the low frequency and to unreliable services in terms of punctuality and safety. But local bus operators can consider the willingness to pay for higher fares that allow the provision of better services by attending to service quality and meeting equity issues and accessibility needs. It is necessary, therefore, a bus reform, in operative and managerial terms. The municipality has to act on the territory with the tools of sustainable mobility with the aim of reducing congestion, allocate resources to environmentally-friendly interventions and to information systems easily accessible for all and paying special attention to most vulnerable groups’ needs. Finally, the research takes some policy insights from the experience of the city of Lisbon in Portugal regarding the implementation of policies and urban public transport means targeting most vulnerable users as a way to inspire future transport and mobility reforms in the city of Brindisi.

Autore Pugliese

• Venezia Elisabetta

Tutti gli autori

• VENEZIA E.

Titolo volume/Rivista

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Anno di pubblicazione

2015

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