Public Transport in Low-Density Territories: A Preliminary Study of the Taxibus Service in the Basso Ferrarese Inner Area

Abstract

This paper examines the role of public transport as an instrument of accessibility and social inclusion in low-density territories through a preliminary study of the Taxibus demand-responsive transport service operating in the Basso Ferrarese Inner Area in Italy. Framed within contemporary debates on accessibility, mobility justice, and territorial inequalities, the research investigates how flexible public transport systems can contribute to more equitable and sustainable territorial development. The study forms part of a research collaboration between the University of Ferrara and AMI Ferrara and combines quantitative and qualitative methods, including passenger flow monitoring, georeferenced data collection, and voluntary onboard surveys. The analysis focuses on four Taxibus lines and records approximately 230 users over ten survey days. Findings indicate that the service functions as essential infrastructure for many residents, particularly those without access to private vehicles. Travel purposes include work, leisure, education, health care, and family-related activities. Users generally report positive evaluations regarding accessibility, comfort, booking procedures, and timetable compatibility, while also identifying shortcomings such as limited operating hours, delays, rigid booking systems, and inadequate stop infrastructure. The study argues that public transport in low-density territories should be understood not merely as a mobility service but as a socio-technical infrastructure supporting social inclusion, territorial accessibility, and quality of life. It concludes that adaptive public transport systems can contribute to accessibility justice and help address territorial marginalisation in peripheral regions.