La sfida dell’accessibilità pubblica nelle aree a bassa densità: un’analisi esplorativa e sperimentale per il Basso Ferrarese

Public transport can be a pivotal tool for accessibility in low-density areas, where limited access to services reinforces dependence on private vehicles, amplifying social and environmental inequalities affecting especially vulnerable groups. The Basso Ferrarese, an Italian Inner Area, exemplifies these challenges, with demographic decline, dispersed settlements, and limited infrastructure increasing the risk of exclusion. New form of public transport as flexible and demand-responsive transport services (DRT/FTS) can other innovative solutions by integrating with conventional networks, adapting to local needs, and leveraging digital tools to enhance responsiveness and accessibility. This study, a collaboration between the Provincial Transport Agency AMI and the University of Ferrara, examines the Taxibus service, analysing usage, spatial coverage, and user satisfaction through quantitative and qualitative data. This case study is therefore relevant not only for local governance but also serves as a transferable example for decision-makers facing similar rural mobility challenges. Preliminary results highlight the potential of integrated, flexible, and digitally supported services to reduce isolation, support access to work, education, health, and leisure, and mitigate dependence on private vehicles. By framing public transport as a socio-technological infrastructure, the research emphasises its strategic role in promoting social cohesion, territorial justice, and well-being.