by InTrieste
Interview: FVG councilor for regional infrastructure and territory; Piero Zecchini, director of Barcolana
Authorities in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region announced Wednesday a comprehensive plan to enhance public transportation in Trieste ahead of the 2025 Barcolana regatta, one of the largest sailing events in the world.
Regional Infrastructure and Territory Councillor Cristina Amirante presented the initiative, which involves collaboration between the regional government, Tpl Fvg, Trenitalia, the Società Velica Barcola e Grignano, and the municipalities of Trieste and Muggia. The plan aims to encourage sustainable mobility by reducing reliance on private vehicles while facilitating access to the city during the event.
Under the new system, visitors arriving from highways and provincial routes will be able to park at Trieste Airport, the region’s main intermodal hub, and continue their journey into the city using trains or buses, including special services scheduled for the regatta. Promotional packages will offer competitive fares for these combined transport options.
Within Trieste, parking facilities at Opicina and Park Bovedo have been expanded to improve connections with urban transit. Some areas at the Opicina junction, opened in 2024 as part of a broader urban integration effort, will also serve as additional interchange points.
Public transport services will be significantly increased during the event, with additional buses connecting neighborhoods, the Carso hills, coastal areas, and key urban locations. A special one-euro daily ticket will be available, valid across the city’s entire public transport network, allowing residents, tourists, and event attendees to travel with a single pass.
The plan also promotes intermodal options, coordinating buses, bike-sharing, and maritime transport between Muggia and Trieste. Night services will be strengthened to accommodate evening events associated with the regatta, and targeted promotions will be offered for integrated maritime services.
A central feature of the plan is the launch of a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) application, introduced alongside the GO!2025 initiative. The app allows users to purchase a single ticket covering multiple modes of transport, including trains, buses, and airport parking, and provides AI-driven travel options based on departure location and desired arrival time.
“With these measures, we aim to ensure the best accessibility for Barcolana visitors, demonstrating that intermodal and sustainable mobility can serve both major events and daily city life,” Councilor Amirante said.
