Italy's Public Transport Faces Disability Access Gaps

Manual ramps on buses in Italy require drivers to leave the cab, open and close the ramp, and sometimes assist passengers directly. This practice raises safety concerns for drivers, who are exposed to traffic and potential aggression, and creates liability questions when accidents occur during assistance.

Railway stations in Lombardy also illustrate accessibility failures. At Lecco station, two of three elevators are out of service due to construction, leaving a wheelchair‑user, Joele, unable to reach the remaining lift. Railway staff had to carry him and his wheelchair to the platform. Similar problems have been reported at Milano Porta Garibaldi, where ongoing works limit access to only a few tracks.

Both cases underscore a gap between Italy’s legal commitments—such as the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Law n. 18/2009 guaranteeing mobility rights—and the reality for disabled commuters. Advocates like Romina Banfi, whose son Joele relies on train travel for work, medical care, and leisure, call for concrete investments in reliable technology, infrastructure upgrades, and dedicated assistance personnel.