ABSTRACT
Very few contributions are present in the literature dealing with the issue of social exclusion related to High-Speed Rail (HSR) services. The objective of this study is to compare the current situation of non-HSR users in Italy, Spain and England and the factors preventing them from choosing this service. Three countries with very different HSR networks have been chosen in order to get evidence of the different behaviour. For this purpose, three surveys have been delivered to Italian, English and Spanish users of the transport systems for long distance journeys. Data about their socioeconomic characteristics and their perception of social exclusion have been collected based on seven principles. The main result of these surveys has been that a relationship between social exclusion and HSR is evident, especially in terms of economic and geographical exclusion. Moreover, these factors are perceived differently based on the different “shape” of the HSR networks and the service provided.
