by InTrieste
NOTTURNO, Trieste’s innovative on-demand bus service, celebrated its first anniversary with a significant milestone: 12,911 passengers since its inception on July 19, 2023. This milestone underscores the success of NOTTURNO, which has swiftly become one of Italy’s leading on-demand public transport services.
The celebration included honoring the service’s most loyal users, Lorenzo Pipan and Luca Triboli, with a trip to Spain. Ginevra Tomaselli, who crafted the service’s new slogan, “Tonight I’m taking the night bus, and you?” was awarded a six-month subscription to Trieste’s urban network. The eleven drivers who have been the backbone of the service, known for their professionalism and friendly rapport with passengers, were given “Night Superheroes” t-shirts.
A Year of Night Rides and Rising Numbers
Launched with a symbolic ride from Piazzale Europa to Piazza Venezia, NOTTURNO was initially a vision supported by local students and funded by the regional government. Over the past year, the service has grown in both appreciation and usage. Initially averaging 96 passengers per night, the number has surged to 144 since the service’s expansion in March to include areas like Valmaura, Via Baiamonti, Viale Ippodromo, Piazza Perugino, San Giacomo, Via Rossetti, and Piazza dell’Ospitale. Peak nights have seen over 300 passengers utilizing the service.
Customer loyalty is notable, with 446 passengers booking at least five times and over 8,300 accounts created to date. “Besides the innovative and technological aspect, there’s an important cultural aspect,” said Maurizio Marzi Wildauer, president of Tpl Fvg and Trieste Trasporti. “We have contributed to making nighttime mobility in the city more modern and safer.”
Innovation and Community Engagement
Aniello Semplice, CEO of Tpl Fvg and Trieste Trasporti, emphasized the importance of robust industrial backing in promoting such innovations. “Innovation is synonymous with courage, and it must deal with the resistance of habits,” he said. The presence of Arriva, a major transport group, has been crucial. Future plans include further integrating technologies like onboard contactless payment devices and the Glimble app to enhance service quality and efficiency.
University-Driven Initiative
Roberto Di Lenarda, rector of the University of Trieste, highlighted the role of the university in initiating NOTTURNO. “There was a demand for mobility that we had perceived for a long time, and in 2023 we brought it to light with a questionnaire proposed to all our students,” he said. The university’s collaboration with Tpl Fvg, the regional government, and the municipality has proven essential in addressing the mobility needs of students and residents alike.
A Model for Future Services
Regional infrastructure councilor Cristina Amirante praised the collaborative approach that led to NOTTURNO’s success. “NOTTURNO has provided a concrete answer to a real need,” she said. This methodical approach, based on sharing and collaboration, is seen as a model for addressing future collective needs.
Municipal councilor for territorial policies Michele Babuder noted that the concept for a night on-demand service was considered as early as 2019. “The numbers today show that we have taken the right path,” he said, advocating for potential expansion of the service to more days, areas, and time slots, including considerations for tourism and high school students.
What is NOTTURNO?
NOTTURNO is a collaborative effort between Tpl Fvg, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Trieste Trasporti, and the University of Trieste. It is part of the regional public transport plan’s innovative flexible services, filling a traditionally uncovered time slot from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and additionally on Wednesdays in winter.
The service requires the TSonDemand app, developed by Via Transportation, for booking rides. Payment is made directly through the app, with options for credit card, prepaid card, or PayPal. Bookings can be made up to 14 days in advance or in real time.
The next challenge, according to Marzi Wildauer, is to attract older users. “While young people have embraced NOTTURNO, it’s less easy to communicate its convenience to those over 35-40, who tend to prefer cars or taxis,” he noted.
