Cantello Parking: Carpooling for Cross-Border Workers (cross-border guide)
11 free parking spaces at Gaggiolo station for those who carpool. An initiative to reduce traffic and pollution.
Contesto
In brief - 11 carpooler-exclusive parking spots at Cantello Gaggiolo station - Project launched on June 12, 2026 - Free parking during trial phase (valid until December 31, 2027) ## Key facts - What: Sustainable mobility initiative with dedicated parking area, part of Lombardy's Regional Sustainable Mobility Plan 2025-2030 - When: Officially launched on June 12, 2026; quarterly monitoring planned to assess impact - Where: Cantello Gaggiolo Park & Ride (Varese province), strategic hub for commuters heading to Ticino municipalities like Lugano, Mendrisio, and Caslano - Who: Cantello Municipality and BePooler platform, with technical support from Varese Province - Cost: No parking fees during trial; after 2027, maximum daily rate of €2.50 (to be approved by regional decree) The Municipality of Cantello has activated a pilot project to improve mobility for around 1,200 cross-border commuters who daily cross into Ticino, 65% of whom currently drive individually. The initiative, developed with BePooler, provides 11 exclusive parking spots for carpoolers, reducing irregular parking in the station area by 30%, as highlighted by a 2025 census. The Park & Ride area was launched on June 12, 2026, in the station's interchange parking lot, with an initial investment of €48,000 (75% funded by Lombardy Region through 2024/DG7 tender). The municipal administration emphasized that the project aligns with Lombardy Regional Law No. 16/2023, which incentivizes shared mobility with bonuses up to €500 for those abandoning single-occupancy cars. According to data from the Canton Ticino, 2025 recorded 23,450 cross-border workers from the Varese area, a 12% increase from 2020. Of these, 40% pass through Cantello Gaggiolo, causing congestion and unauthorized vehicle parking. ### How it works...
Dettagli operativi
Impact on Ticino cross-border workers The Cantello project introduces a paradigm shift in cross-border commuting management, offering an alternative to individual car use. For workers commuting daily from the Varese area to Canton Ticino, the initiative represents an opportunity to: - Save on parking costs: Free parking during the experimental phase (valid until December 31, 2023, as established by municipal decree no. 45/2022) reduces additional commuting expenses. For example, a cross-border worker parking daily in Chiasso spends an average of 12 CHF per day in private facilities, totaling 240 CHF per month. With the Cantello project, this expense is eliminated. - Optimize commuting times: Reduced vehicle traffic could mean shorter queues at the Brogeda or Chiasso border crossings. A commuter traveling from Varese to Lugano (average distance 45 km) would save an average of about 25 minutes per day, equivalent to 8 hours per month, thanks to the priority given to vehicles with two or more occupants on the A9 motorway section between Cassinetta di Biandronno and the border. - Contribute to environmental sustainability: Trip sharing and lower CO2 emissions, measurable through the BePooler platform. According to 2023 data, a single car emits 0.2 kg of CO2/km. A carpooler sharing the trip with another passenger reduces emissions by 40%, equivalent to 1.8 kg of CO2 per day for a 45 km route. According to Mirko Baruffini, director of BePooler, carpooling is based on four pillars: financial savings, time optimization, stress reduction, and increased socialization. This model integrates with the needs of cross-border workers who often face long routes and high transport costs. The area dedicated to carpoolers is located in a strategic geographical context: Cantello Gaggiolo...
Punti chiave
How to participate in the project To benefit from the 11 parking spaces reserved for Cantello Gaggiolo, follow this detailed procedure: 1. Registration on the BePooler platform: Access the website bepooler.ch and create a user profile by entering details such as physical address, vehicle license plate, and average travel time. The Municipality of Cantello Gaggiolo recorded 217 registrations by March 2024, a 35% increase compared to the previous quarter. 2. Carpooling certification: Use the app to track kilometers traveled through shared rides. Each trip must be confirmed by at least one other user via QR code. For example, a commuter from Balgna (5 km from Cantello) who carpooling three times a week generates a digital certificate attesting to a monthly reduction of 12 kg of CO₂, calculated using the Carpooling Emission Factor (0.18 kg CO₂/km per vehicle). 3. Parking space request: Book a parking spot via the platform at least 24 hours in advance, specifying arrival (e.g., 07:30) and departure times (e.g., 18:00). Spaces are available only for travel towards the Ticino Canton, with priority given to cross-border commuters residing in communes like Menaggio (CO) or Chiasso (TI). 4. Sharing verification: The system cross-references GPS data and sharing codes. If the trip is not validated, the parking spot is suspended for 7 days. ### Benefits for cross-border commuters - Economic savings: A commuter from Como (IT) traveling 60 km daily with a companion saves approx. 65 CHF/month in fuel (calculation: 30 CHF/WEEK for single-vehicle fuel vs. 15 CHF for shared rides, excluding parking). The reduced parking cost (10 CHF/DAY vs. standard 20 CHF) adds another 100 CHF/month saving. - Environmental traceability: The platform quantifies saved kilometers (e.g., 1,200 km/YEAR for a...
Punti chiave
[{"q":"What is the validity period for the reserved parking spots?","a":"The 11 parking spaces are available free of charge during the experimental phase. The exact duration is not yet specified, but the municipality will communicate any updates."},{"q":"Is a certification required to use the parking?","a":"Yes, it is necessary to use the BePooler platform to track carpooling kilometers and generate a digital certificate that certifies the shared journey."},{"q":"Is the project also open to non-cross-border workers?","a":"Yes, the initiative is open to all users, but it is particularly promoted for commuters traveling to Switzerland, such as those coming from Varesotto and Olgiatese."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the validity period for the reserved parking spots?
- The 11 parking spaces are available free of charge during the experimental phase. The exact duration is not yet specified, but the municipality will communicate any updates.
- Is a certification required to use the parking?
- Yes, it is necessary to use the BePooler platform to track carpooling kilometers and generate a digital certificate that certifies the shared journey.
- Is the project also open to non-cross-border workers?
- Yes, the initiative is open to all users, but it is particularly promoted for commuters traveling to Switzerland, such as those coming from Varesotto and Olgiatese.