Improving Communication Procedures to Foster Rail Cross-Border Accessibility: A Survey on Connections Between Italy and Slovenia

Border regions often introduce accessibility asymmetries that limit citizens’ ability to access work and education opportunities. In this context, improving cross-border connections is not merely a logistical need, but a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring equality and inclusivity. The study analyses cross-border accessibility through a survey conducted in Italy, with reference to its border with Slovenia. The survey explored two complementary dimensions. First, the perceived quality of local public transport, both via road and rail, in relation to daily commuting. Second, the perception of accessibility to cross-border connections with Slovenia. The results reveal an overall satisfactory perception of local public transport services but, at the same time, cross-border connections with Slovenia are perceived as poorly accessible. Also, even in the event of service improvements, the propensity of respondents to use such connections remains moderate. This may suggest the presence of barriers beyond the mere characteristics of the offer, including limited familiarity with existing connections and consolidated mobility habits. The study falls into the impact evaluation of a digital translation tool considered in the European project T4Rail (Translate for Rail) IT-SI, which aims at fostering cross-border railway services by facilitating communication procedures at the border between Italy and Slovenia. Notably, the importance attributed by respondents to travel time reduction as a driver to shift towards railway cross-border connections reinforces the relevance of the T4Rail tool. Future developments of the study consider the employment of econometric analyses to capture the relationship among the examined variables, in support of the elaboration of incentive policies.