PalQ

The long-awaited Line C of the Rome metro system has been contracted for a bid of 2.5 billion (!) euros - the 2nd biggest contract every awarded in Italy.
the 25.5 km line will be fully automated and 17.6 km will be in tunnel, with 7.9 km in open air - it will link Pixzzale Clodio to Pantano Borghese and have 30 stations. Expected ridership: 600,000 passengers a day! Work should commence shortly and the opening of the first 7.2 km section (San Giovanni-Alessandrino) by late 2010. The entire line hopefully will be open before 2015.
Amongst large cities in Europe Rome has one of the poorest public transportation systems with just a few metro lines and the new line is long overdue.

JandaO

only if they dont run into ancient ruins

PalQ

good point and i think this is inevitable in a place like Rome!

JandaO

hopefully there will be a way to brings Rome's Metro system into this century.

PalQ

Yes, it's rather shabby now. Just a few years ago i went to an unstaffed station and tried to use the automatic ticket machine and i only had a one euro coin and no small change. Well the ticket cost something like 76 euro cents and i put the one euro coin in and the machine said exact change only. The change machine was out of order and i would have gladly forfeited my 24 euro cents to get a ticket but it wouldn't let me - so i had to go to a nearby cafe and get change to use the xxxx thing - this is very archaic and un user friendly. I guess Romans are used to carry pennies for these machines or have passes or tickets in hand but i found it very frustrating.

Neopolitan

Regardless of the supposed schedule, I doubt it will open in my lifetime!

PalQ

Like they say in terms of some of the scaffolding on Italian churches, palazzo, etc. - that they've been there so long that they are now considered to be a part of the facade!

massagediva

Pick up a copy of the July National Geographic. There's a great story written by Paul Bennett of Context Rome about some of the excavations happening in subterranean Rome.Then you'll understand why it doesn't have an extensive Metro system.

Neopolitan

Or as I always say about Rome after visiting and seeing all the scaffolding -- "it'll be nice once they get it done."

PalQ

Well i guess Rome wasn't built in a day!

JandaO

With all of its faults, we will just have to live with it as is.
I agree,it probably wont be completed in my lifetime.

LoveItaly

Another Fodorite who does not think they will live long enough to see the project completed, lol. But interesting info PalQ..also the thread you posted regarding Florence..although I didn't quite understand. Take care.