Abstract

The diffusion of Integrated Tariff Systems (ITS) in Local Public Transport (LPT), that started up in Europe in the mid 1960s, may be due to three main factors: a) the development of the cities and the increasing need of mobility from the collectivity; b) the inconvenience the users face due to long waiting times generated by a lack of suitable forms of coordination among modalities and operators; c) the environmental policy objectives aiming at reducing external transport costs. This paper shows the results of a study investigating the tariff integration experiences in LPT in Italy. 41 ITS in 15 regions have been analyzed by means of surveys carried out on operators which take part to the various integration agreements. In addition to the basic information (historic development of the ITS, number of integrated operators, supplied modalities), the technical-economic factors characterizing each system are highlighted: 1) organization and extent of the network; 2) tariff structure; 3) the way traffic revenues are shared among the operators. By comparing the different situations with regards to such aspects, it emerges that most of Italian ITS are still in a early stage of growth. Among the possible improvements to be brought in, particular emphasis is placed on the creation of large-sized integrated networks and on the resort to mechanisms for revenues sharing which are consistent with the competitive regulation of the LPT systems.