Local Public Transport (TPL) companies are facing serious problems difficulties due to delays in repayments for season tickets introduced by the state. According to the national associations of the LPT, the delays in the disbursement of reimbursements by the competent ministry "are putting companies in a serious crisis, despite the great organizational efforts put in place to guarantee the facilitation for citizens", report the national associations Agens , Anev and Asstra.
Delays and financial impact
The LPT companies have anticipated so far over 50 million euros for the implementation of the transport bonus 2023, introduced in mid-April this year. These amounts, which the Ministry had undertaken to repay on a monthly basis within 30 days of the issue of season tickets, have not yet been disbursed.
In the current context, characterized by a sharp increase in operating costs and the loss of tariff revenues due to the pandemic emergency, the liquidity levels of companies are already critically low. Delays in repayments are further aggravating the situation, forcing companies in the sector to increase their debt with high and constantly growing interest rates.
Call for immediate and decisive action
Despite the reassurances that the problem would be resolved promptly, theand concrete actions by the Ministry have so far been absent. The LPT associations underline that further delays cannot be tolerated by the system and would jeopardize the very regularity of the service offered to citizens.
The LPT companies are therefore asking for immediate action by the competent Ministry to guarantee the timely repayment of the amounts due. The current situation is jeopardizing not only the finances of companies, but also the quality and reliability of transport services offered to citizens. An invitation addressed to Matteo Salvini, Minister of Transport who is responsible for the platform on which requests for bonuses can be registered, but addressed above all to Marina Calderone, Minister of Labour: her resources are to be allocated to local transport companies for the bonus payment.
