ATAC had predicted opening of Spagna metro station in time for Easter in Rome.

The three central metro stations on Rome's Metro A line - Repubblica, Barberini and Spagna - will remain closed for Easter, despite recent reports to the contrary.

The three stations, all closed due to malfunctioning escalators, are now not expected to open until some time after 1 May, following this year's so-called "super ponte" holiday period from Easter to Labour Day, with Festa della Liberazione in between.

In recent days the city's public transport company ATAC had predicted Spagna would be open in time for the holiday, but this was denied by Italy's transport ministry which said it was still waiting on documentation from ATAC, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

The decision to shut Spagna on 23 March was taken because its escalators are of the same type as Barberini station whose escalator system collapsed on 21 March, while Repubblica station has been closed since 23 October when dozens of people were injured after the escalator accelerated suddenly.

ATAC has organised substitute shuttle buses in the central areas affected however many traders in the centre say the closures have resulted in a 50 per cent loss of revenue.

Currently commuters travelling from Termini must pass through three closed metro stations before being able to get out at Flaminio.