Poverty of transport in Italy: Tessa presents the research carried out for Transport & Environment

Transport poverty in Italy: TESSA presents the research carried out for Transport & Environment

On October 13, 2026, in Rome, we presented the results of our study on inequalities in access to mobility.

How much does it cost to move within the family budget? And what happens when the car is essential because there are no alternatives?

These are some of the questions at the heart of the research carried out by TESSA S.r.l., a spin-off of the University of Tuscia, on behalf of Transport & Environment (T&E). The study analyzes the poverty of transport in Italy, linking the economic sustainability of travel, the availability of transport means, and accessibility to essential services.

Three facts to understand the phenomenon

• 4.9 million families, equivalent to18.46% of the total, They face difficulties in covering the costs of mobility: almost one in five Italian families.
• 643 thousand low-income familiesThey are particularly vulnerable to fuel costs.
• 766 municipalities, the9.7% of the total, They present a high criticality due to the scarcity of alternatives to the automobile.

Behind these numbers are intertwined economic conditions and the characteristics of the territories. Where public transport is insufficient and services are far away, owning a car can become a necessity even for families with fewer resources.

The contribution of TESSA

The research work, coordinated by Ilaria Benedetti and Luca Secondi, The report combines statistical analysis, indicators and territorial mapping to identify the families and areas most exposed to transport poverty.

The goal is to provide institutions and public decision-makers with knowledge tools useful for designing targeted interventions capable of accompanying the transition of mobility and reducing economic and territorial inequalities.

The presentation on October 13 brought these facts to the public debate, attracting the attention of national newspapers and specialized media outlets.