Bari Metro launches temporary aid for transport of disabled students

The Metropolitan City of Bari announced a stop‑gap plan to ensure school transport for secondary‑level students with disabilities for the 2026‑27 academic year. Three separate tender procedures for the 2025‑2029 framework agreement failed to attract bids because rising fuel, vehicle and operating costs made the contracts unsustainable for operators.

To prevent any interruption, the administration will reimburse families that use their own vehicles to bring children to school. The reimbursement follows the kilometre rates published by the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) and is calculated on the actual days of attendance. The measure does not affect the right to public transport service, which will be restored once a new, market‑adjusted tender is issued. Councilor for disability policies Italo Carelli said, “When students and families face complex journeys, the first duty of institutions is never to leave anyone alone.”