The Brescia Metrobus is a rapid transit

Rapid transit

A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...

 network under construction in the Italian city of Brescia

Brescia

Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...

. The first line will be 13.1 km long, with 17 stations from Buffalora to Prealpino.

A €575m contract was awarded to a consortium led by Ansaldo STS

Ansaldo STS

Ansaldo STS S.p.A. is a multinational technology company which produces signalling and automation systems for use by rail and rapid transit operators. The firm also acts as lead contractor and turnkey provider on new rail developments...

 in April 2003. Work started in January 2004, but archaeological finds caused delays and required the redesign of stations. The line is now due to open in 2012.

Trains

The AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro

AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro

The AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro is a class of driverless electric multiple units and corresponding signaling system. Manufactured by AnsaldoBreda of Italy, it is or will be used on the Copenhagen Metro, the Brescia Metrobus, the Thessaloniki Metro, Line 5 of the Milan Metro, Line C of the Rome...

 trains will be the same as the trains on the Copenhagen Metro

Copenhagen Metro

Copenhagen Metro is a rapid transit system serving Copenhagen, Frederiksberg and Tårnby in Denmark. The system opened between 2002 and 2007, and has two lines, M1 and M2. The driverless light metro supplements the larger S-train rapid transit system, and is integrated with DSB local trains and...

. Top speed will be 80 km/h

Phase 1

Opens December 2012.

• Prealpino
• Casazza
• Mompiano
• Europa
• Ospedale
• Marconi
• S.Faustino
• Vittoria
• Stazione F.S.
• Brescia Due
• Lamarmora
• Volta
• Poliambulanza
• S. Polo Parco
• S. Polo Cimabue
• Sanpolino
• S. Eufemia / Buffalora

Branch 2

• Inzino
• Gardone
• Zanano
• Sarezzo
• Villa Carcina
• Cailina
• San Vigilio
• Concesio
• Stocchetta
• Prealpino (connection with Phase 1)

External links

• Official site
• Automation in a medium-sized city Railway Gazette International
  Railway Gazette International
  Railway Gazette International is a monthly business journal covering the railway, metro, light rail and tram industries worldwide. Available by annual subscription, the magazine is read in over 140 countries by transport professionals and decision makers, railway managers, engineers, consultants...
  
  April 2008