In one of Europe's least populated areas, on-demand public transport is keeping people connected

The autonomous community of Castilla y León, one of the most depopulated in Spain, manages to bring basic services closer to the citizens.

Transcript

00:00 In Spain's central region of Castilla y Leon, one of the least populated areas in Europe,

00:11 access to essential services can be a challenge. For instance, Josefa has booked a bus ride

00:16 to travel 25 kilometres to her nearest health centre. No regular routes connect her village

00:21 of 300 inhabitants with the main town of the district, but thanks to an on-demand transportation

00:27 service, these rural communities are finding innovative ways to bridge the gap.

00:30 "It works very well, I'm very happy. Then they pick us up at 11.30 and they drop us

00:37 off at Olivares. I'm very happy, I always take the bus to the health centre."

00:43 Customers can book their trip by phone or online, but these on-demand services are more

00:48 than just a convenience. They are a lifeline for rural communities, ensuring that essential

00:52 services remain accessible to all, no matter where they live.

00:57 "In areas like this, public transport is essential for citizens to have access to

01:02 basic things like withdrawing money from a cash register or even going to the supermarket."

01:08 Castilla y Leon has a population density of just 25 people per square metre. 90% of the

01:14 population lives in towns smaller than 1,000 inhabitants. With fewer passengers and limited

01:19 resources, the Regional Transport Authority has found a solution. Unlike traditional bus

01:24 routes, on-demand services are provided by buses that take variable routes, avoiding

01:29 unnecessary stops.

01:31 "We can get to many more places at a lower cost and, of course, for the average person,

01:37 because if we don't do unnecessary kilometres, the emissions we emit are lower."

01:46 The regional government implemented the service 18 years ago, and since then it has caught

01:50 the attention of other regions in Spain and abroad, looking for more efficient means of

01:55 transport.

01:55 (whooshing)

01:58 (whooshing)