The analysis is based on the incidence of individual cost items on total production costs, a relevant parameter for assessing the economic sustainability of local public transport companies. The sample considered includes 39 Italian companies, divided into three clusters based on 2023 turnover.

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Cluster 3 gathers companies with an annual turnover between 51 and 22 million euros.
Personnel cost

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
In this group, personnel cost as a percentage of total production costs in 2023 averages 48,2%, with a median of 57,8%. Compared to 2014, both indicators are down: the average is down by -6,4 points, the median by -6,3 points.
Cost for services

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
In 2023, the share of services in total costs stands at an average of 19,6% and a median of 18,6%, a little increase from the historical average 2014-2023 (+0,1% average, +4,2% median).
- Rising sharply are ATAP S.P.A (+67,9%) and ATC La Spezia (+29.3%).
- In decreaseinstead, Kyma Mobilità (-41,9%) e Brescia Trasporti (-10,2%).
Raw materials and consumption

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
The incidence of raw materials is 16,5% as average and 17,1% as median, down slightly from the historical average (-2,7% average, -0,5% median).
- Significant growths for Brescia Trasporti (+33,7%) and Start Mobility (+27,2%).
- On the other hand, Kyma Mobility (-28,1%) and ATAP S.P.A. (-19,6%) decline.
Overall, this item remains more stable than services, but is still affected by procurement strategies and fleet composition.
Depreciation

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
In 2023, the incidence of depreciation is 7,8% average and 7,6% median, down from 2014-2023 (-8,6% average, -5,7% median).
On the rise are SVT (+27,2%) and ATAP Pordenone (+22,1%), indicative of higher capitalized investments.
In sharp decline, however, are Kyma Mobility (-46,9%) and STAR Mobility (-40,6%), probably due to the reduced pace of fleet renewal.
Use of Third-Party Assets

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
The incidence of the item use of third-party assets as of 2023, is 2,6% on average and 2,3% on median, with a slight decrease compared to the past (-9,0% average), but an increase in median (+10,4%).
- Notable for substantial increases are:
- ATAP Pordenone (+848,6%),
- Conerobus (+82,1%),
- ATVO (+45,3%).
- ATAP Pordenone (+848,6%),
- Sharply down: TPL Linea (-96,9%6%), Brescia Trasporti (-62,6%) and Movibus (-39,5%).
Other costs and operating expenses

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
The incidence of operating expenses is at an average and a median of 1,3%, both down from 2014-2023 (-19,4% average, -10,5% median).
- In growth:
- STAR Mobility (+99,9%)
- ATVO (+39,5%).
- STAR Mobility (+99,9%)
Down sharply: Brescia Trasporti (-53,7%), Kyma Mobilità (-53,6%), and ATC La Spezia (+39,5%).

Basco&T Consulting processing of data extracted from official (unconsolidated) financial statements (AIDA)
In 2023, the incidence of “other costs” is 4,0% on average and 1,6% on median, increasing from the 2014-2023 average: +306,3% (average) and +51,1% (median).
- The largest increases are in:
- ATVO (+3503,9%),
- Kyma Mobilità (+2360,0%),
- SVT (+1584,5%)
- ATVO (+3503,9%),
- In contrast, some companies reduce this item: Società Trasporti Pubblici Brindisi (-52,8%) e Conerobus (-38,0%)
Conclusion
The analysis of the clusters, divided by revenue bands, shows that the composition of production costs in LPT has changed significantly between 2014 and 2023. These changes depend on company size, territorial context, and organizational choices.
Personnel costs remain the main cost item, particularly for larger companies. Other items, such as services, raw materials and depreciation, show less constant trends, often due to operational changes or specific investments.
In conclusion, it is essential to analyze costs not only in absolute terms, but also by considering their evolution and relative weight. This provides insight into the strategies and priorities of different operators, helping both in the interpretation of past budgets and in future evaluations.
The previous article, Cluster 2, looks at the top 12 Italian LPT Companies with the 2023 turnover between 94 and 53 million euros.


