Graziano ABRATE University of Piemonte Orientale and Hermes
Massimiliano PIACENZA
University of Torino, Ceris-CNR and Hermes
Davide VANNONI
University of Torino, Ceris-CNR and Hermes
Abstract - The increasing problems
of pollution and traffic congestion represent a challenge towards the
definition of a model of sustainable mobility, in particular in the
largest urban areas. An indirect control on these negative
externalities associated with private transport may be pursued by
means of policies aiming at improving quality and accessibility of
public transit networks. In this respect, one popular option is to
design an Integrated Tariff System (ITS): the crucial question remains
if such a policy can be effective in raising the number of public
transport users. In this study we use a ten-years panel of 69 Italian
public transit providers (with or without ITS) and estimate
alternative specifications of the demand function. Results show that
the impact due to the ITS introduction is on average quite small, but
it becomes more relevant when the ITS is characterized by specific
factors making it more attractive for the potential users, such as
large network extension and single ticket option.