Strengthening of public transport with 14 new grand tourism lines

By project REGIO-MOB

Published on 30 August 2022

Italy

Lazio

About this good practice

A network of supplementary buses (managed by Astral spa, on behalf of the Lazio Region, in collaboration with Atac and Roma Servizi per la Mobilità), offered a remodelled service to better meet the needs of students and workers. In conjunction with the reopening of schools after the lockdown period and in order to maintain the distance necessary to combat infections, an extraordinary public transport enhancement service was established to better respond to the needs of students and workers during the pandemic period and in consideration of the return to class of high school students. From April 7th, 2021, this service was launched by favouring the maintenance of opening hours for kindergartens, primary and lower secondary schools. These lines have been called “S Lines”: a network of supplementary buses managed by Astral spa, on behalf of the Lazio Region, in collaboration with Atac and Roma Servizi per la Mobilità.
A dynamic adaptation of the offer was prepared, based on actual user demand as it emerged in the first weeks of operation. Line additions, changes to itineraries and frequency, introduction of new stops or rationalization of existing ones have been made.

Resources needed

The total cost for the 150kms of the operation including VAT was € 3,863,496.00.
The costs for the cycle paths are to be considered very low since they are light interventions (with horizontal and vertical signs) along the priority axes and the most frequented sections.

Evidence of success

This solution helps to reduce crowding on public transport. A dynamic adjustment of the offer was prepared, based on the real user demand that emerged in the first weeks of operation. Line additions were made, changes to itineraries and frequency, introduction of new stops or rationalization of existing ones. It is a dynamic plan which, based on constant monitoring, can be modified by combining the anti-contagion regulations on vehicle filling levels with the real requests of users.

Potential for learning or transfer

The good practice is easily transferable. The upgrading of the routes of the S lines in Rome involved 14 lines throughout the city. Concurrently with the reopening of the schools, 14 new Gran Turismo bus connections were therefore activated, connecting the suburbs to the Center, in correspondence with the Cotral bus and train interchange nodes. With the main objective of reducing crowding on subway lines and limiting crowds on traditional means of transport, the mobility of access to the city center has been enhanced, promoting greater safety for carriers. All transport lines remain unchanged with the usual service bands: 7-10 and 16-19 from Monday to Friday, 7-10 on Saturday. On the new "S" lines you can get on with normal tickets and passes valid for the fare zone of the city of Rome. On board the buses of the "S" lines, holders of Metrebus Rome or Lazio tickets or passes are allowed.