Rome Metro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rome Metro
Locale Rome
Transit type Rapid transit
Began operation 1955
System length 38 km (24 mi)
Number of lines 2
Number of stations 48

The Rome Metro (often simply called Metropolitana by residents) is an underground public transportation system that operates in Rome, Italy. It was opened in 1955. There are currently two functional lines, the "line A" (identified by the orange color) and "line B" (blue). A third service, the green "line C", and a new branch of line B ("B1") are under construction. Plans have been revealed even for a fourth line ("D"). The current network (38 km) has an X-shape with the two currently existing line intersecting at Stazione Termini, the main train station in Rome.

Contents

[edit] Background

Line A arriving at Vittorio Emanuele
Line A arriving at Vittorio Emanuele
Line B leaving Circo Massimo
Line B leaving Circo Massimo

The Rome Metro is part of an extensive regional transport network made of a tramway, several suburban and urban railways in and around the city of Rome. Whereas most FR lines (Regional Railway) do provide a mostly suburban service, the Roma-Lido, the Roma-Pantano and the Roma-Nord lines offer a metro-like service, and shown as metro services in some maps.

Compared to other European capitals, Rome's subway is less developed. Being one of the oldest cities in the world, the construction of the subway encountered a lot of difficulties. In fact, the city of Rome is built upon a labyrinth of tunnels, catacombs, vaults, and ancient sewer systems. While constructing the first two lines, each excavation exposed archaeological remains and the construction had to be stopped to allow the local Soprintendenza Archeologica to check their significance, and alternate routes must be considered. The construction sites for the future line C have been marked "archaeological survey" from the beginning.

Construction on line C poses new challenges, especially in its downtown section. Many believe that only stairways and air vents will encounter ruins of archaeological interests because the trains will run 25 to 30 meters below ground (in general, foundations and archaeological finds are located near the surface), but it is not a unanimous opinion.

Rome's metro is also less attractive than most European mass transit systems, many of which are known for their elegance. Rome's stations are drab and utilitarian, and many trains are fully covered in graffiti. Stations are well staffed and clean of litter, but maintenance is low.

[edit] Map

[edit] Ticketing

A Metropolitana train covered with graffiti
A Metropolitana train covered with graffiti

A range of integrated public transportation tickets for the whole city network are available for purchase at some cafes and most tobacconists, as well as in Metro stations: the one-trip "biglietto integrato a tempo", costing one Euro, is valid for one metro journey, plus seventy-five minutes from time of validation for bus and tram trips, whilst the one-day ("biglietto integrato giornaliero"), three-day ("biglietto turistico integrato") and seven-day ("carta integrata settimanale") tickets permit any number of journeys by metro, bus, tram and suburban railway for the duration of their validity. Fines for traveling without a validated ticket are significant (50 € in 2005).

The Metropolitana, especially Termini Station, is a notorious center for pickpockets; therefore, the authorities regularly advise exercising caution when using the metro.

[edit] October 17 2006 Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II accident

Main article: 2006 Rome metro crash

This accident occurred on 17 October 2006 at 09:37 local time (07:37 UTC), when one train ploughed into another when it was unloading passengers at the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II station, killing one person and injuring about 145 others.

[edit] Future Lines

Construction on Line C began in 2007 with scheduled completion in 2015.[1] Line C will intersect Line A at Ottaviano, near Vatican City, and San Giovanni. It will intersect Line B at Colosseo.

[edit] Maps

[edit] See also


[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
 This rapid transit-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This Lazio location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.