Three days of free buses, subways and trams in Rome.

Rome's Christmas mobility plan, in place from 8 December to 7 January, offers incentives to use public transport and take taxis in the capital over the festive season.

The plan, unveiled on Tuesday by mayor Roberto Gualtieri and transport councillor Eugenio Patanè, is designed to facilitate Christmas shopping and reduce the use of private cars in the city.

There will be three days when Rome's entire public transport network will be free: 8 December (a public holiday in Italy), 17 December and 24 December (Christmas Eve).

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Three bus lines serving the historic centre will be free throughout the festive period: the electric 100 bus line along with the Free 1 line from Termini and Free 2 from Piazzale dei Partigiani, both of which reach Largo Chigi (midway along Via del Corso).

The Free 1 and Free 2 routes will operate daily from 09.00 to 21.00, departing every 10 minutes from car parks at Termini and Piazzale dei Partigiani (Ostiense station).

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Rome's Metro A line will resume full service from Friday 8 December, on completion of major overnight works that began 18 months ago, with the subway running until 01.30 on Friday and Saturday nights and until 23.30 from Sunday to Monday.

The city promises to increase services on subways and buses towards the city centre and shopping malls, on public holidays and on all weekends of the Christmas period, between 10.30 and 20.30.

#Natale, presentato il piano del #trasportopubblico. Potenziata l’offerta di superficie dalle 10:30 alle 20:30, con 3 giornate di gratuità e ritorno fino alla Befana delle 2 linee speciali gratuite. Riapertura serale della #MetroA https://t.co/ImXDIQOFVI@romamobilita pic.twitter.com/ggPldIW2tw

— Roma (@Roma) December 6, 2023

The limited traffic zone (ZTL) in the Tridente and Centro Storico areas will be active from 06.30 to 20.00 Monday to Sunday, with the exception of Christmas Day, from 8 December to 7 January.

In addition the capital is offering 50 per cent discounts on taxis from 8-31 December, with the travel vouchers available via the SPID digital identity system, CIE or CNS.

The Buoni Viaggio Roma offer is open to passengers aged over 18, for a maximum of €20 each way (meaning you pay €10 for a journey that would otherwise cost €20) while the discount does not apply to fares above €20.

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A maximum of two travel vouchers is permitted per day, not exceeding a monthly total of €400, and payments must be made electronically by credit card or debit card.

In the case of people with disabilities, a 100 per cent discount applies to fares that do not exceed €40.

For full details of Rome's Christmas mobility plan see city website.

Photo Corriere della Città