Italy student transport: Regional subsidies and rising costs

As the 2026/2027 school year begins in Italy, various regions are implementing different measures regarding student transportation and costs.

In Puglia, the regional government has launched a transport bonus providing a 50% discount on monthly passes for commuting students with an ISEE below €13,000 (or €15,748.78 for families with three or more children). The program, which offers up to €1,000 per student, saw approximately 1,200 applications within its first two hours of opening.

Abruzzo has also institutionalized discounts for commuting students in 175 mountain municipalities, with regional officials confirming that all 21 regional transport providers have been notified of the funding.

In contrast, other areas face rising costs or service issues. Linee Lecco has implemented an average tariff increase of 1.8% for local public transport, affecting both single tickets and student subscriptions. In Quinto di Treviso, the local administration is absorbing cost increases to keep school meal prices at €5.30 and maintain stable transport fees. Meanwhile, reports from Varese highlight service capacity issues, where students with valid annual passes have been unable to board overcrowded buses.