Closing the Rural Mobility Gap: How Nemi’s DIGITAL BUS Is Making Public Transport Smarter, and More Inclusive

Getting around shouldn’t be a privilege tied to where you live. But in many rural and peri-urban areas, access to public transport remains a real challenge. Infrequent departures, long travel times, and poor coverage mean that private vehicles are often the only realistic option. For many, especially the elderly, young people, and those with disabilities, this lack of reliable transport can be isolating. Limiting not just access to jobs or education, but also to social activities and essential services.

Barcelona-based startup Nemi is working to change that. Their solution, DIGITAL BUS, helps transport operators digitise and optimise both fixed and flexible bus routes. The goal? To make public transport more reliable, efficient, and user-friendly, no matter the size of the operator or the community it serves.

At the heart of DIGITAL BUS is accessibility: passengers can track buses in real time using a mobile app, or even interact with the system via WhatsApp a small but powerful feature that proved to be a game-changer in pilot projects across Spain and Portugal. In towns like Vilafranca del Penedès, where 80% of bus users are over 65, this familiar messaging tool helped bridge the digital gap and build trust in the system.

Before Nemi stepped in, Vilafranca’s bus drivers were handling reservations manually via text messages an outdated and unsafe practice. DIGITAL BUS replaced that with real-time tracking, app-based booking, and an on-demand stop system, dramatically improving both safety and service reliability.

Thanks to support from EIT Urban Mobility, Nemi has gone from testing the waters to launching full commercial services, and picking up new contracts along the way. What’s clear from their journey is that success in this space takes more than smart technology; it requires empathy, flexibility, and a deep understanding of the people using the service.
Nemi’s work is a strong reminder that when digital tools are designed with users in mind, they can do more than optimise transport—they can help communities stay connected, independent, and included.
 

For the full article, visit EIT Urban Mobility.