Public
Transport
Termini station is the
main hub of Rome’s transport system. The city transport authority,
ATAC (telephone
numbers: (06) 4695 2027 or (800) 431 784; fax number: (06) 4695
2032; e-mail: clienti@atac.roma.it),
operates the city’s large fleet of buses and trams. The network
consists of 282 bus lines and six tram lines, which cover the entire
city and run daily 0530 hrs-2400 hrs. After 2400 hrs, there are
22 night bus routes.
Buses
The regional transport authority COTRAL (telephone numbers: (06)
57031 or (800) 431 784) runs blue buses throughout the Lazio region.
Night buses run daily 0000-0530 hrs, along 22 routes, which are
marked on bus stops (fermata) and buses with the letter ‘N’.
All tickets must be pre-purchased and are available for sale at
ATAC counters, tabacchi (newsagents) and also at
automatic ticket dispensers at metros.
Tickets should be validated at the start of the journey (to avoid
a hefty €51 fine). The cheapest ticket is the Biglietto Integrato
a Tempo – BIT costs €0.77 and is valid for up to 75 minutes
of travel on ATAC buses and trams, or for one trip on the suburban
train lines or metro lines.
Day (BIG)
and week (CIS) passes – are valid on all
transport in the municipality and are priced at €3.10 and €12.40
respectively. Monthly passes are also available. The BIRG pass covers
a day’s worth of transport within the whole Lazio region,
and prices are between €1.80 and €8 (depending on the
number of zones covered).
Rail
Services
There are three suburban railway lines departing from Termini,
Ostiense and Flaminio stations,
as well as Rome’s two metro lines (A and B), which cross at
Termini station. The easily mastered metro service operates daily
0530 hrs-2330 hrs(until 2430 hrs Saturday). Plans to forge a new
third line have been in the works for years but have not come any
closer to fruition. Just extending the two existing metro lines
proved to be trouble enough, with the uncovering of archaeological
vestiges either postponing or preventing any advances.
Taxis
There are Taxi ranks located at various points around the city centre.
Visitors are advised to use only the yellow and white official taxis.
Surcharges are applied for each item of luggage and the night service
(2200 hrs-0700 hrs), on Sundays, public holidays, and for airport
transfers.
While taxis may be called by telephone, the meter is turned on immediately
after the call and not on pick-up. Tipping of 5-10 per cent is gratefully
received, although Italians often do not bother with a tip. Companies
include Radio Taxi 3570 (telephone number: (06)
3570), Cooperativa Samarcanda (telephone number:
(06) 5551) and Taxi Tevere (telephone number: (06)
4157). Taxi hire costs, on average, €0.78 per kilometre (the
price is higher out of town).
Limousines
Centrally located limousine companies include Autonoleggi
Bevilacqua, Via San Nicola da Tolentino 20, Piazza Barberini
(telephone number: (06) 483 756), which hires out limousines on
an hourly or daily basis, and Airport
Connection Service, Via A Fava 28/d, Zona Trionfale (telephone
number: (06) 338 3221), which chauffeurs groups or single passengers
to the airport but also hires out limousines for day use. Visitors
can expect to pay from about €30 per hour.
Driving
in the City
The interweaving paths of mopeds, pedestrians, trams, the erratic
driving, a one-way system and the frequent traffic jams make the
driving in Rome an experience which is best avoided. The authorities
have reacted to traffic congestion and the ensuing pollution, by
cutting off large areas of the city centre to non-resident
traffic during business hours, and – to a lesser
extent – in the evening. Exceptions are usually made for visitors
driving to their hotel.
Car
Parking
Parking is as problematic as the driving in Rome. Pay-and-display
meters charge about €1 per hour (although the fee may be waived
in the evenings and at weekends). There are various underground
car parks in the city and the one at Villa Borghese
is open 24 hours. There are some free parking spaces but anything
marked Sosta Vietata (no parking) is to be avoided
as the municipal police have a nasty habit of towing away illegally
parked cars and then charging a huge sum for their return. Unlucky
owners should contact the municipal police (telephone number: (06)
67691).
Car Hire
Cars can be hired by drivers aged 21 years (23
with some firms) and above, on presentation of a passport and valid
driving licence (held for at least one year). A cash deposit or
credit card number is requested and a valid international insurance
policy is also necessary. Full insurance is advised.
A small car costs from around €70 per day to hire. Providers
include Avis
(tel: (199) 100 133), Europcar
Italia (telephone number: (800) 014 410 or (06) 488 2854), Hertz
(telephone number: (199) 112 211),
Sixt (telephone number: (06) 659 651), and the locally based
Maggiore (telephone
number: (848) 867 067), all with various locations throughout Rome.
Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are available for hire at Bici & Baci,
Via Viminale 5 (telephone number: (06) 482 8443). Scooters are available
at Happy Rent, Via Farini 3 (telephone number:
(06) 481 8185), and Roma Scooter Rent, Via in Lucina
13-14 (telephone number: (06) 687 6455), located off Via del Corso
near the Parliament. RomaRent,
Vicolo de’ Bovari 7A, near Campo de’ Fiori (tel/fax:
(06) 689 6555), has bicycles, scooters and cars for hire. Bicycle
hire charges are from around €3 per hour up to €15 per
day, while scooters cost €35-48 per day. |
