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