PUBLIC TRANSPORT GATHERINGS?! NO THANKS

The problem of safety in public transport is still one of the hardest issue for the Government. At the moment, the absolute priority is to contain as many infections as possible, eliminating all potential opportunities for the spread of the virus.

The hardest part, in situations like this, is finding the right balance between health and economics. Every choice, in fact, implies sacrifices, renunciations and hardships for citizens, companies and institutions. The criticisms and protests, which have not been lacking in recent days, are certainly acceptable, as long as they lead to shared efforts aimed at combating contagion.

In order to gain as soon as possible the exit from this long tunnel of fear and uncertainty, we must join forces and cooperate, striving to look at the crisis as an opportunity to implement long-awaited changes and improvements. Sooner or later, the virus will pass, but all the innovations put in place today, with the aim of containing it, will remain as a treasure to be exploited; just think of smart working or teaching at a distance.

In this scenario, our perception is that our sector (that of transport) is a bit the "Cinderella" of the moment. Apart from the reduction in capacity on board vehicles, substantial changes to the local transport system seem far from being possible.

Reducing the permitted capacity to 50%, surely reduces crowding situations. In doing so, however, we limit the possibility of using a public service, which in many cases becomes accessible only to the first arrivals! At the same time, the problem of tracking users who have used the service continues to arise.

 

In our opinion, the only solution to this problem is to strengthen and innovate the local transport system. How? On the one hand we need to involve private transport companies, making them intervene in support of TPL companies and on the other we need an online booking system. In order to ensure a safe and effective service, it is appropriate to build a transport system dedicated to industrial districts, large companies, schools and universities.

The advantages would be many:

1) give oxygen to an economic sector in serious difficulty;

2) the assembly of vehicles and stops would be eliminated, ensuring full compliance with anti-counterfeiting rules;

3) optimize means and stops, based on data on the use of the service;

4) reduce traffic and CO2 emissions;

5) the list of service users would be available at any time and any outbreaks would be prevented.

The best thing is that we are not talking about something utopian, and even less mere theory! This model is a reality in Lombardy, where since May we have activated our service for a group of multinational companies. How does it work? Their employees book their seats online, choosing the departure time and stop, a shuttle takes them to work and vice versa. The results achieved so far are eloquent: 26,125.00 Km and 1,741.67 liters of diesel saved!
Of course this model can be easily replicated for schools, universities and companies. Our technology has been widely tested and our network of transport companies covers the entire national territory. That’s why we chose to put ourselves on the line, and FNM decided to invest in our project. Right now, all we have to do our part, and the only way to win this battle is by joining forces.
 

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