Metropolitana di Napoli
Encyclopedia
Metropolitana di Napoli (Naples Metro) is the metro system serving the city of Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...

, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

. The system includes three underground 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...

 lines (line 1, line 6 and rainbow line) and commuter railways (line 3 and 4, both part of Circumvesuviana network, line 2, line 5 Circumflegrea and Cumana
Ferrovia Cumana
The Cumana Railway is a regional railway in Campania, southern Italy, connecting Naples by two separate routes with Torregaveta, near Cuma in the town of Bacoli . It passes through Pozzuoli and the volcanic Campi Flegrei area...

), with planned upgrading and expansion work underway. The network is complemented by four funicular
Funicular
A funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other.-Operation:The basic principle of funicular...

s (cable railways).

With an urban population (central area) of approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants, Naples is Italy's third most populated city after Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...

 and Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...

, but it is the second metropolitan area of the country after Milan, with a population of 4.434.136.

A major project is now underway to restructure the city's transport system and to connect the existing lines into one integrated network. It aims at a system with a total of ten lines, new interchange stations and enhanced parking areas.

The network is coordinated by Regione Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...

 through the Agenzia Campana per la Mobilità Sostenibile (Campania Agency for Sustainable Mobility). The integrated tariff system which allows travel across all forms of public transport within Naples is managed by the UnicoCampania consortium.

History

The Ferrovia Cumana
Ferrovia Cumana
The Cumana Railway is a regional railway in Campania, southern Italy, connecting Naples by two separate routes with Torregaveta, near Cuma in the town of Bacoli . It passes through Pozzuoli and the volcanic Campi Flegrei area...

, currently part of the metro system, was the first line to be opened in 1889.

In 1911 construction on the urban section of the Naples to Rome railway, the Passante line
Naples Passante railway line
The Naples Passante railway is a 23 km-long double track line which connects the line to Rome via Formia at Villa Literno with the line to Salerno near Napoli Gianturco station through Naples and its north-western suburbs...

 was commenced, and although it was suspended for the duration of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

, the line was eventually opened on 28 September 1925 with an urban railway service, the first in Italy. This urban service is now part of the metro system as line 2.

After the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, the existing Circumvesuviana
Circumvesuviana
Circumvesuviana is a group of narrow-gauge railways connecting towns to the south-east of Naples, Italy. Its tracks run around the base of Mount Vesuvius, and , they completely encircle it, as well as running on down the Sorrento peninsula...

 railway (now partially line 3 and 4) was upgraded to a modern commuter rail. In 1962 the Circumflegrea (now partially line 5) suburban railway was opened.

Construction of the first real metro railway (line 1) began in 1976, and the first part opened on 23 March 1993. Initially called the Metropolitana Collinare ("Hill Subway") it ran for 4 km (2.5 mi) between Colli Aminei stazione and Vanvitelli stazione. Two years later the line was extended to reach Piscinola stazione giving an overall track length of 8 km (5 mi).

Although progress had been made from the early setbacks and problems, it was still apparent by 1997 that the network suffered badly from the lack of network integration and poor connections, as well as the fact that large areas of Naples were not close to stations. In 1997 the Comune di Napoli
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...

 government drew up a new Piano Comunale dei Trasporti di Napoli (Naples City Transport Plan) which called for a review of the network, improved controls over maintenance expenditure and general finances, a new tariff control system and better management of the urban rail network of Naples.

The transport plan called for a three phase major redevelopment. Phase 1 would involve an expansion to a total of five lines, including major redevelopment of Line 1, and take the network up to 53 km of track (45 km of existing lines), with 68 stations (23 newly built), and 12 interchange nodes, to be completed by 2001. Phase 2 was designed to increase the network to 7 lines, with 84 stations, and 16 interchange nodes, plus 10 bus interchanges, to be completed by 2007. Phase 3 would see the network expanded to 10 rail lines with 93 km of track, and a further 30 km of new light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...

 (tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...

 lines) linking 114 stations, with 21 interchanges, and 24 bus interchanges to be completed by 2011. The plan called for 70% of Neapolitans to be living within 500 metres of a transport access point by 2011.

In conjunction with the regional government of Campania, the comune government of Naples incorporated a new fully state-controlled joint-stock corporation called Metronapoli
Metronapoli
Metronapoli SpA is an Italian company responsible for the provision of public transport in the city of Naples, and its primary function is the operation and maintenance of the Naples Metro system. It was founded on 26 July 2000 and became operational on 1 February 2001...

, which is 99% controlled by the comune and 1% controlled by ANM
ANM (Naples)
Azienda Napoletana Mobilità SpA , more commonly known simply as ANM, is a municipally controlled public company that is the primary provider of surface public transportation in the city of Naples, Italy, and also provides a portion of the surface transit service in surrounding municipalities...

 (Azienda Napoletana Mobilità), with a mission statement of: "providing an efficient public rail transport service of quality to the city".

Metronapoli
Metronapoli
Metronapoli SpA is an Italian company responsible for the provision of public transport in the city of Naples, and its primary function is the operation and maintenance of the Naples Metro system. It was founded on 26 July 2000 and became operational on 1 February 2001...

 took over control for running the urban rail transport network of Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...

 as part of a planned massive re-invigoration of public transport in the Campania region On 1 February 2001. The regional government announced a rivoluzione del ferro (rail revolution) which involved a planned expansion of the region's network at a cost of €3.8 billion euros, and would see the construction of 1,400 km of new tracks and 80 new stations for a total of 423 stations on the network within Campania.

On 3 December 2005, the CIPE, (Interdepartmental Committee for Economic Planning) announced over €600 million worth of funding to be spent the Metropolitana di Napoli network. €323 million was allocated for Montesanto stazione (Line 5 and Line 7), €61.1 million for Giornate interchange (Line 1, Line 5, and Line 7), with both projects to be completed by 2010, as well as €119.7 million to be spent to improve the section of Line 1 between Capodichino stazione and Centro Direzionale
Centro Direzionale
The Centro Direzionale is a service center in Naples, Italy. The district is mainly devoted to business.The project of the Centro Direzionale dates back to 1964. It was designed in 1982 by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange....

 and €100 million for the San Pasquale stazione to Municipio stazione section.

From 23 December 2006 to 20 February 2007 a special exhibition of models and multimedia presentations was held at Castel dell'Ovo
Castel dell'Ovo
Castel dell'Ovo is a castle located on the former island of Megaride, now a peninsula, on the gulf of Naples...

 to showcase all of the planned improvements to the Metropolitana di Napoli network, and was extremely well received by Neapolitans.

Metronapoli (line 1, line 6 and funicular lines)

Metronapoli is the Neapolitan public transport management company. Founded on 26 July 2000 as a fully state-controlled joint-stock corporation, it became operational on 1 February 2001. It is owned and controlled by two entities: the Comune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...

 of Naples, which owns 99% of shares, and the Azienda Napoletana Mobilità
ANM (Naples)
Azienda Napoletana Mobilità SpA , more commonly known simply as ANM, is a municipally controlled public company that is the primary provider of surface public transportation in the city of Naples, Italy, and also provides a portion of the surface transit service in surrounding municipalities...

 (Neapolitan Mobility Company), which owns the remaining 1%.

Metronapoli is currently responsible for the transport services and maintenance of Line 1 and Line 6, pedestrian subways, and the funicular railways (Chiaia, Mergellina and Montesanto). Metronapoli is also responsible for developing the various interchange links of Line 1 with Line 2 and the funicular railways, and is working with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to ensure all development work is done in accordance with procedures to ensure the protection of historic monuments and archaeological remains.

Trenitalia (line 2)

Service on line 2 is managed by Trenitalia
Trenitalia
Trenitalia is the primary train operator in Italy. Trenitalia is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato, itself owned by the Italian Government. It was created in 2000 following the EU directive on the deregulation of rail transport.-Passenger transport:...

. RFI
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana is an Italian company fully owned by Ferrovie dello Stato . RFI is the owner of Italy's railway network, it sets train paths, provides signalling, provides maintenance and other services for the railway network...

 is the owner of the railway infrastructure.

Circumvesuviana (line 3 and line 4)

The Circumvesuviana is a narrow-gauge railway connecting cities and towns near Naples, Italy. Its tracks run around the base of Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius is a stratovolcano in the Gulf of Naples, Italy, about east of Naples and a short distance from the shore. It is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years, although it is not currently erupting...

, hence the name, though they do not in reality completely encircle it. There are 96 stations in total on the network, and 138 km of track.

Line 3 and line 4 are part of Circumvesuviana network.

Circumvesuviana network is managed by homonymous company.

SEPSA (line 5 and Cumana)

SEPSA in a public company. Line 5 (part of Circumflegrea railway) and Cumana railway are managed by SEPSA.

MCNE (rainbow line)

MCNE is a public company. Rainbow line and 2 regional railways (Benevento-Napoli and Piedimonte Matese-Napoli) are managed by MCNE.

Stations & lines

The Metropolitana di Napoli currently operates on eight lines.
style="margin:inherit; text-align:center; padding-bottom:0.25em"|Naples metro lines
Name Operator Opened Name dates
from
Type Length
/km
Length
/miles
Stations Journeys
per annum (000s)
Average journeys
per mile (000s)
Line 1 Metronapoli
Metronapoli
Metronapoli SpA is an Italian company responsible for the provision of public transport in the city of Naples, and its primary function is the operation and maintenance of the Naples Metro system. It was founded on 26 July 2000 and became operational on 1 February 2001...

1993 2001 Deep level 13.5 8.38 15 34,675
Line 2 (via Passante) Trenitalia
Trenitalia
Trenitalia is the primary train operator in Italy. Trenitalia is owned by Ferrovie dello Stato, itself owned by the Italian Government. It was created in 2000 following the EU directive on the deregulation of rail transport.-Passenger transport:...

1925 2001 Deep level 16 9.94 11
Line 3 Circumvesuviana
Circumvesuviana
Circumvesuviana is a group of narrow-gauge railways connecting towns to the south-east of Naples, Italy. Its tracks run around the base of Mount Vesuvius, and , they completely encircle it, as well as running on down the Sorrento peninsula...

2004 2001 Surface 12.3 7.64 12
Line 4 Circumvesuviana
Circumvesuviana
Circumvesuviana is a group of narrow-gauge railways connecting towns to the south-east of Naples, Italy. Its tracks run around the base of Mount Vesuvius, and , they completely encircle it, as well as running on down the Sorrento peninsula...

1891 2001 Surface 8.3 5.15 8
Line 5 (part of Circumflegrea railway) SEPSA 1962 2001 Surface 9.1 5.65 7
Line 6 Metronapoli
Metronapoli
Metronapoli SpA is an Italian company responsible for the provision of public transport in the city of Naples, and its primary function is the operation and maintenance of the Naples Metro system. It was founded on 26 July 2000 and became operational on 1 February 2001...

2007 2001 Subsurface 2.3 1.42 4
Rainbow line (Alifana Bassa or Napoli-Aversa) MCNE 2005 2005 Subsurface 5
Cumana
Ferrovia Cumana
The Cumana Railway is a regional railway in Campania, southern Italy, connecting Naples by two separate routes with Torregaveta, near Cuma in the town of Bacoli . It passes through Pozzuoli and the volcanic Campi Flegrei area...

SEPSA 1889 Surface 20 19

For a complete list of Metropolitana di Napoli stations, see: List of Naples metro stations.

Under construction

Planned

Funicular lines

The network is complemented by four funicular
Funicular
A funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other.-Operation:The basic principle of funicular...

s (cable railways) that connect the elevated stazione Vanvitelli with sea level areas at Fuga (Central Funicular), Cimarosa (Chiaia Funicular) and Morghen (Montesanto Funicular). The fourth, Mergellina Funicular, line runs between stazione Manzoni and stazione Mergellina. Two further funicular lines are being planned.

All of these are necessary due to the extremely steep gradient with which the hills rise. The oldest of these inclined cable-railways (the Montesanto, connecting Vomero
Vomero
Vomero is a central district of Naples, with a population of about 48,000.-Geography:Vomero is a hilly and heavily urbanized area in the center of Naples...

 with the city centre) has been operating since 30 May 1891. The four funicular lines serve 16 stations and currently provide transport for over 60,000 passengers each day.

As part of the plan to better integrate the public transport of Naples, all four furnicular lines will connect with Metropolitana lines in order to provide better connection services. Stazione Vanvitelli is connected hub of three of the funicular lines, providing direct connections to Line 1.

Rolling stock

Class Image Type Top speed Number Cars per set Seat layout Routes operated Built
mph km/h
ALe724 Electric 86 140 90 3 (two engine cars
+middle carriage)
72 / 88 / 72 Line 2
ETR Line 3
Line 4
ET Line 5 and Cumana
Firema Metronapoli M1 Line 1
T67 Line 6
MA.100 Rainbow line

Fares

The original Giranapoli system was replaced in 2001-02 with a new automated system. The current fare structure for the Metropolitana di Napoli is a universal system across all forms of public transport in the city and the region of Campania as a whole. Therefore tickets are valid for use on all buses, funiculars, metro and local railways in Naples and adjacent municipalities. The universal system is referred to as 'Uniconapoli', a sub-branch of 'Consorzio Uniconcampania'.

The whole province is divided into six concentric zones labeled as zones 0-5, expanding outwards from Naples itself (zone 0).

Tickets are sold by station booking-offices and kiosks, and need to be validated when first used. Every station on the network is now either equipped with automated ticketing machines, or being upgraded to incorporate them. These machines are all multi-lingual in Italian, English, French, German and Spanish.
Ticket Price Validity Notes
Single €1.20 90 min Can be used multiple times with 90 minute validity on all forms of public transport
Day Pass €3.60 24 hours
Weekend Day Pass €3.00 24 hours Only available on Saturday or Sunday
Monthly Pass €40.00 30 days Unlimited travel within validity period

These prices were current as of 1 November 2011.

More detailed information on fares and ticketing can be found on the Consorzio Uniconcampania website here.

A smartcard ticketing operation has been planned for introduction to the network, that may operate in a similar fashion to London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...

's Oystercard.
The name of this smartcard is Jamme Card, from neapolitan dialect jamme (Let' s go)

Operations

Trains operate from 6:00 to 23:00 every day of the year. Headway
Headway
Headway is a measurement of the distance/time between vehicles in a transit system. The precise definition varies depending on the application, but it is most commonly measured as the distance from the tip of one vehicle to the tip of the next one behind it, expressed as the time it will take for...

 is 8–10 minutes, except during morning and evening rush hours, when it is reduced to 6 minutes, and after 21:00 when the headway is about 15 minutes.

Artwork

Line 1 has been dubbed 'Il Metrò dell'Arte' (The Art Metro) by Metronapoli as eight stations have been upgraded to exhibit works of art. These include both permanent exhibits and the provision for temporary displays. It is intended that this theme will continue as more of the planned stations on Line 1 are opened.

Museum station (stazione Museo) also displays archaeological remains and exhibits that were unearthed during the construction of the station, while others have been transferred to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (Naples National Archaeological Museum
Naples National Archaeological Museum
The Naples National Archaeological Museum is a museum in Naples, southern Italy, at the northwest corner of the original Greek wall of the city of Neapolis. The museum contains a large collection of Roman artifacts from Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum...

) above the station, from which it is named.

Another initiative recently started on the Metropolitana di Napoli was to provide free books for riders on the network.

External links


The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK