History of the Rome underground system
The first trains of the Roman Metropolitana system started running in 1955. At the moment there are only two lines, A and B, but a third line is under construction and should be running by 2011. There are reasonable doubts as to whether the deadline will be made. An extension of line B, to be named B1, is also being built.
Line A is also known as the red line, line B as the blue line.
The reason for the fact that there are only two lines in a big capital city like Rome is that everywhere underneath the city there are ruins from the Ancient Roman times. Parts of the new line C are thus being constructed more than 100m below ground level.
The metro lines
The only point in Rome where it is possible to change lines is at Roma Termini, the main railway station and central bus square. Line A and B start running at 5.30am and the last trains of the day leave at 11.30pm. If you plan to stay out late you will therefore be dependent on taxis or the – not very regular – night bus system. On Friday and Saturday nights the last trains start at 1.30am. After that night bus line 40N follow the line B route and 55N follows the line A route.
Update: Note that, except on Saturdays, until April 2012, metro line A will stop running at 9PM. From 9PM till midnight it will be replaced by the substitute bus lines MA1 and MA2.
The first and last stops of line A are Anagnina and Battistini, the first and last stops of line B are Rebibbia and Laurentina.
Visiting Rome tourist attractions using the underground system
Many of Rome’s tourist attractions are not really near underground stations. Some that are:
Vatican City, Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museums (stop: Ottaviano, line A)- Colosseum (stop: Colosseo, line B)
- Roman Forum (stop: Colosseo, line B)
- Piazza del Popolo (stop: Flaminio, line A)
- Spanish Steps (stop: Spagna, line A)
- Saint John in Lateran (stop: San Giovanni)
Remember that:
Smoking is prohibited in the underground system.
Especially during rush hour the trains tend to be packed, so it is important that you watch your belongings carefully. The number of people on the trains would make a sardine claustrophobic, so this is of course a paradise for pick-pockets. Keep your bags or backpacks in front of you and do not have your wallet or cell phone in your back pocket. It is best to have your valuables hidden underneath your clothes.
Visit the MetroRoma homepage for more information.
