Tram line T2 in Florence, Italy, operated by RATP Dev, a subsidiary of the RATP Group, was inaugurated by the city’s mayor, Dario Nardella, on 11 February, with special guest President Sergio Mattarella in attendance. 

Following the extension of line T1 to Careggi University Hospital last summer and the opening of line T2—which connects the city centre to Florence-Peretola airport—the tram network is really taking shape in the Tuscan capital.  Service now also includes the areas of Rifredi, Careggi, Novoli and the airport, and the network features a total of 38 stations and 16.8 km of track.

Twenty-nine new trams have been added, with one train every 4 minutes and 20 seconds. Some 37 million passengers (annual estimate) will be able to take advantage of the expanded tram network, which runs from 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., and until 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.  

This increase in sustainable transport service, which has doubled since the network was extended, is the equivalent of having 15,000 to 20,000 fewer cars per day and avoiding 14,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. 
RATP Dev has been a partner of the Municipality of Florence since 2005 and launched the city’s first tram line on 14 February 2010; it has been operating and maintaining the entire network ever since. 

“We are proud and honoured to have built a relationship of trust over the past decade with the city of Florence and Florentine residents”, emphasises Laurence Batlle, President of the Executive Board at RATP Dev. 

“With the creation of this new line, more than a hundred new employees—from drivers to maintenance workers—have joined GEST’s team”, explains Jean-Luc Laugaa, Managing Director for GEST, RATP Dev’s subsidiary in Florence. “Recruiting local talent and supporting staff in developing their skills are also part of our commitments”.  

As a partner of smart and sustainable cities, the RATP Group is proud to support cities like Florence in the long term, to help to improve quality of life for residents and to offer them safe, reliable and innovative mobility solutions and services.