City wants commuters to leave their cars at home

Rome launched its annual Christmas traffic plan with the introduction of the RomaFreePass shuttle bus, five new electric mini-buses which join the free Linea Shopping line serving the downtown shopping area over the festive period.

The shuttle buses run every day until 10 January, from 10.30 to 19.30, except on 24 December when the service stops at 18.00.

The circular route departs and ends from Piazzale delle Canestre in the middle of Villa Borghese park, leaving every 15 minutes. The buses serve the main shopping districts centred around Via del Corso in the historic centre and Via Cola di Rienzo in Prati, stopping at major car parks, metro stations and bus terminals along the way.

The limited traffic zone (ZTL) applies in the city centre, including the Tridente, on 14 and 21 December and 6 January from 14.00 to 18.00, and on weekdays until 24 December from 06.30 to 20.00. For full details see ZTL website.

There will be additional services on many of the city's buses that pass through the centre in the run-up to 24 December while services on the Metro A and B lines will be increased on 14 and 21 December.

Rome's transport councillor Guido Improta said the city's increased public transport network should act as a disincentive to drivers of private vehicles.

For full traffic details see the Muoversi a Roma website.