In Brescello, the station is being transformed into a "protected ecosystem" thanks to the "Safe Stations" project, which combines technology and security to meet a growing need, creating a model that could revolutionize public transport in Emilia-Romagna and improve customer trust.
Brescello – No longer just a transit point, but a "protected ecosystem." Brescello station becomes a laboratory for a new approach to railway safety in Emilia-Romagna.
"Stazioni Sicure" (Safe Stations), a pilot project promoted by Ferrovie Emilia-Romagna (FER) and supported by the Region, was inaugurated today. The project aims to transform waiting rooms into technologically advanced, controlled-access areas.
The technological "Fortress": how the station is changing
The heart of the project lies in a combination of physical barriers and digital monitoring. The main innovation concerns access to the waiting room: once fully operational, the door will be unlocked only by swiping the travel document (ticket or pass) on a special optical reader. Once inside, travelers will find:
SOS button: A direct and immediate connection to the FER control room at Bologna Centrale for real-time assistance requests.
Active video surveillance: Internal and external cameras monitored 24/7 by specialized technicians, ready to send images to law enforcement if necessary.
Comfort and services: A complete restyling with LED lights, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, charging sockets for electronic devices and latest-generation information monitors.
Concrete response after the events in Bologna
The project isn't just about improving decorum, it also responds to a growing need for protection. FER's CEO, Gianluca Benamati, emphasized that the plan was accelerated in part due to recent tragic events, such as the murder of train conductor Alessandro Ambrosio on January 5th in Bologna.
"We want to increase safety standards at access points to the infrastructure," Benamati explained, specifying that after this experimental phase in Brescello, the model will be gradually extended to other stations in the regional network.
The institutions: "More quality, less degradation"
For Regional Transport Councillor Irene Priolo, safety isn't just a matter of surveillance: "It's also about the quality of the environment and lighting. Restoring dignity to waiting rooms means strengthening citizens' trust in public transport."
Brescello's mayor, Carlo Fiumicino, also expressed satisfaction, noting that the station is a tourist icon linked to the fictional characters of Don Camillo and Peppone: "After several incidents of vandalism, we are giving the community and tourists a dignified and protected space."
Towards a regional model
The Brescello test will serve to calibrate the system. In the coming months, FER and the Region will evaluate user response to refine the technology before launching the large-scale expansion plan, with the goal of making "short trips" for Emilia-Romagna commuters an increasingly safe and modern experience.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
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