RATP Dev commissioned the first tramway line in Florence ten years ago. The network has subsequently expanded to ease traffic in one of the most popular sightseeing cities in Italy, making it more accessible and environmentally-friendly.
In 2010 the Florence city authorities awarded the operation and maintenance contract for its first T1 tramway line to GEST, the Tuscan subsidiary of RATP Dev. The stakes were important: traffic had to be relieved in the city by means of a fast, clean and silent mode of transport. Teams had to be recruited, trained and supported. The construction of two additional lines had to be managed… RATP Dev rose to the challenge. Even in the first year of operation, the brand new tramway won Florentines over, with over 80% embracing it. Passenger numbers totalled twelve million - 20% over the initial target.
In July 2018 the T1 line was extended from Villa Costanza up to Careggi hospital. The line then boasted 11.5 km of tracks and 26 stops, compared to the initial 7.4 km and 14 stops. With the extension now in service, Florentines could travel from one end to the other in 40 minutes with a tram every four minutes from 5 a.m. till half past midnight and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The number of passengers per year was then estimated at over 20 million.
Less than a year later we opened the T2 tramway line on 11 February 2019, connecting the city centre with Florence-Peretola airport. The Rifredi, Careggi, Novoli and airport districts are also covered, offering Florentines and tourists a truly useful tramway network that is fully integrated in the city and makes local city life easier.
An indisputable success
In 2019, 35 million passengers have used the tramway network - three times more than a decade ago. Since entering service in 2010, the T1 line has transported over 142 million passengers and travelled 12.5 million kilometres, i.e., the equivalent of three hundred times around the world.
The quality of service afforded to Florentines by our GEST teams is another reason for satisfaction. According to regularly conducted studies, over 90% of passengers are satisfied with the tram, while 97% appreciate its punctuality and reliability. These surveys also show that 22% of respondents have preferred the tram over their own vehicle. This is a real victory for RATP Dev for which operating excellence and passenger satisfaction are major factors.
Sharing expertise
GEST teams have doubled over the past decade to ensure passengers impeccable service. Faithful to its commitment to excellence in sharing, we recruited locally and trained driving, dispatching and maintenance teams. They benefited from the know-how transfer from RATP Group experts and have been trained in the highest international standards.
“Recruiting local talent and supporting them to develop their skills are part of our commitment”, says GEST Managing Director Jean-Luc Laugaa.
Partnering Florence for sustainable mobility
This network showcases our ability to partner Florence over the long term with safe, reliable and innovative mobility solutions. The tram is one of the most environmentally-friendly means of transport. The quick, clean and silent mass transit solution guarantees less noise, stress and pollution for both locals and tourists who flock to the city centre in ever-growing numbers. This can be seen in the fact that use of the tramway in the past decade has meant 30 million trips less in private vehicles and a 50,000-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions. The findings are in line with RATP Dev sustainable mobility goals that fully address the city’s objective of improving air quality in Florence.
Building the city of tomorrow
With the surge in tramway usage the city centre has been transformed and grows more beautiful. Car traffic clogs up streets less and passengers have more freedom of movement on a daily basis. We are already working on the construction site of the future line to Bagno a Ripoli, catering to the south-east of the city. The new section will complement the current network to make Florence an even better-connected city.
The Florence tramway network
- 2 tram lines
- 35 million passengers per year
- 900 journeys per day
- 4 minutes and 20 seconds between each tram
- 38 stops
- 16.8 kilometres of track