Innovations in Public Transport in Peri-Urban Areas: The Case of Brescia, Italy

Public transport (PT) accessibility and financial schemes are often poor in Euro-MED peri-urban areas, leading to high dependence on private cars. This study aims to translate strategic insights into a scalable model for implementing demand-responsive transport (DRT) solutions in peri-urban areas. An implementation roadmap involving a three-phase approach, a monitoring framework with associated key performance indicators, and an exploratory modeling exercise using the .MOBI tool, were applied to two contrasting municipalities in the Province of Brescia: Collebeato (complementing PTs to improve the connection with the Municipality of Brescia) and Monte Isola (enhancing tourism connectivity within the island). The study unravels the stakeholder engagement and operations needed to efficiently establish a DRT service. Findings suggest that financial viability, infrastructure development, technological integration, and social acceptance are critical success factors. The .MOBI simulation results assess the technical feasibility and operational characteristics needed for implementing DRT services in the two case studies. The model demonstrated DRT’s potential to effectively complement or supplant fixed-route PT in Collebeato, while Monte Isola was identified as an ideal use case for future integration into a Mobility-as-a-Service framework. Nevertheless, successful DRT deployment requires careful adaptation to local socio-spatial dynamics, clear governance, scalable technology, and a recommended multifaceted funding strategy in order to face cultural barriers by civil society.