Naples: Metropark at Central Station: More than a quarter of passengers report unsafe rides.

Passengers departing from Naples Metropark, a hub for long-distance bus connections in southern Italy with over 100 buses per day, report insecurity and a lack of waiting space, according to a FlixBus survey of Italian bus stations.

The survey, conducted between June and August 2026, collected 871 responses on perceived safety, service quality, and other aspects. The questionnaire is part of the National Bus Station Plan, promoted by FlixBus together with representatives of the Chamber of Deputies, the Ministry of Transport, the Transport Regulatory Authority (ART), ANAV, the UNC, and the ANCI. A Manifesto outlining eight concrete proposals for upgrading existing infrastructure and guiding the construction of future infrastructure was presented today in the Chamber of Deputies.

Why Metropark is at the center of the debate

Among the critical issues reported, more than a quarter of passengers indicated a sense of insecurity while waiting or upon arrival at the station. The average perceived safety score is 5,75 out of 10, in line with the national average of 5,77 but far from the standards required by long-distance passengers. Furthermore, nearly a third of participants reported a lack of adequate waiting space, while 25% cited dilapidation and dirtiness as the main problems. Significantly, 17% of respondents cited a lack of dedicated assistance staff.

A focus on the Naples area was provided within a survey analyzing the entire Italian bus station system.

Eight proposals from the Manifesto for Bus Stations

The Manifesto presented to the Chamber of Deputies—which can be consulted in its entirety—proposes an infrastructure redevelopment based on eight measures: legally defining the bus station and introducing a unified regulatory definition that enhances its role in the mobility system; making the construction of bus stations mandatory in large and medium-sized municipalities; and establishing dedicated stops in smaller towns to improve connectivity and encourage intermodal transport.

In terms of experience quality, minimum national standards are required for safety, accessibility, and services, with reference to the need to update terminals to new energy transition technologies and to innovate customer information services. The initiative is the result of a collaboration between ANAV, UNC, ART, and ANCI to promote more efficient road mobility in Italy. The project also includes a €300 million plan to make bus stations more efficient and safe.