Franco Lucente, Regional Councillor for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, talks about the importance of lake transport for the local area. A sector in which the buzzwords are increasingly: digitalisation and sustainability. To meet travellers needs. Including in view of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics.
What importance does lake transport have as an integral part of the public transport system?
For the Lombard Region lake transport is fundamental to an increasingly intermodal, connected public transport system in which iron, rubber and water interact to supply optimal services to travellers. The Lombard lakes are a priceless natural, cultural and tourist attraction heritage at an international level.
How is the Region integrating transport, tourism and sustainability to promote the lakes within a wider, streamlined system?
Lombardy is getting ready to revolutionise the local public transport experience on the strength of new integrated digital ticketing. The goal is to enable people to get on any Lombard public transport vehicle with a single app, validating their journey when they get on board and paying for the exact journey only. I’m certain that this innovation will be enthusiastically welcomed by users and transport operators. The experimentation phase is expected to launch in the second half of 2026 and it should be fully operational by the end of 2028. It is an important step forward in the direction of Lombard public transport interoperability and lays the foundations for increasingly smart, accessible and sustainable mobility.
How will events such as Milan-Cortina 2026 act as catalysts in the strengthening of infrastructure and services?
The lakes have the capacity to be fantastic Lombard tourism drivers, showcasing the area’s beauties, including in view of the Olympics. Thanks to an integrated transport system, tourists will be able to reach and visit incredible places.
