Navigating Public Transportation in Rome – December 2023: Free Rides and Discounts
by Adriana ruiz
3 Days of Free Public Transportation
Three days of free transportation are planned for all local surface public transport lines and metropolitan lines: December 8, 17, and 24, 2023.
Free Shuttles
To improve and speed up access to the historic center, this year also sees the return of two FREE circular lines named “Free1” and “Free2” departing from Termini Station and Piazzale dei Partigiani. They will quickly connect to Largo Chigi and will be operational every day from December 8, 2023, to January 7, 2024, from 9 am to 9 pm, every 10 minutes. This special service allows for car-bus exchange from two parking lots:
FREE Line 1 exchange | Roma Termini parking – via Marsala 1st hour free
FREE Line 2 exchange | Atac Partigiani parking for the surface part, subject to availability of unoccupied subscriber parking spaces (rate €0.80/hour – €5/day).
Free Electric Line 100
To facilitate travel within the historic center, the service of the free electric Line 100 is extended throughout the Christmas period, including holidays, with a frequency of approximately 13 minutes.
Full-Service Resumption of Metro A – Metro C Intensification
Metro A is back in service until midnight, starting December 8, resuming its regular schedule from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm from Sunday to Monday and from 5:30 am until 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The line will be strengthened with an additional 48 trips in general. An increase in frequency is also planned for Metro C, ensuring one extra train from midday until the end of service.
Extension of ZTL Operating Hours
Existing regulations on ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) are strengthened, with a ban on access from 6:30 am to 8 pm, Monday to Sunday, except on December 25, to limit private transport accessibility and promote the shift between private and public transportation.
Regarding this, the Mayor emphasized: “Last year, we saw that if the extension of hours is done together with the enhancement of public transportation, it encourages Romans to go downtown.”
Taxi and NCC (Car Hire with Driver)
From December 8 to December 31, all adult citizens can benefit from Rome Capital’s travel vouchers:
50% discount on the cost of each taxi or NCC ride (maximum discount of €20 per trip, for a maximum of 2 daily trips and €400 monthly).
100% discount for people with disabilities (maximum discount of €40 per trip, for a maximum of 2 daily trips and €400 monthly).
Read more here: Benefits of Buoni Taxi Roma: Travel Vouchers for Taxis and Rental Cars.
Sharing Rome Initiatives
During the Christmas season, Sharing Mobility operators will enhance their offerings with promotional initiatives aimed at encouraging the use of shared mobility. For Rome Capital’s Car Sharing, promotions on long rentals and bonuses for new customers equal to €20 on future rentals for those activating an individual or family contract from December 8 to January 7, 2024.
Specific Interventions on Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve
December 24: Local surface public transport lines and metropolitan lines will operate until 9 pm. For nighttime surface lines, service will proceed regularly, except for nMA, nMB, nMB1, nMC, and nME, which will start at 11:30 pm.
December 25: Local surface public transport lines and metropolitan lines will operate from 8:30 am to 1 pm and from 4:30 pm to 9 pm.
December 31: For New Year’s Eve, the operation of metropolitan lines will be extended until 2:30 am on January 1, 2024. Subsequently, replacement metroferro services will be activated from 2:30 am to around 8 am on January 1. Surface lines will be active until 9 pm, with an extension until 2:30 am on January 1, 2024, for 11 lines connecting to the metros and then the nighttime buses nMA, nMB, nMB1, nMC, nME. Regular service for the entire bus, tram, and metro network will resume at 8 am on January 1.
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