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Salerno is a city with about 150,000 inhabitants in Campania, Italy (see ISTAT Statistics 2001 ). It is located about 50 kms south of Naples, and lies between Tyrrhenian Sea and some hills very close to the coast. This shape frequently causes traffic problems. Salerno area lies along the coast from Cava dei Tirreni to Battipaglia, with a length of about 33 kms and more than 200,000 inhabitants. It shows a linear and very crowded structure.

Salerno interactive map

copyright: InformaDove



In 1994 the city of Salerno commissioned the Documento Programmatico dello Sviluppo Cittadino (Programming Document for City Development) to Catalan architects of MBM ARQUITECTES S.A. (among them, Oriol Bohigas, Josep Martorell, David Mackay, Albert Puigdomenech, and Oriol Capdevila). Based on that document, Comune di Salerno decided to endow itself with a light metro system to overcome traffic problems.
At the end of 1997 the metro system was officially approved, with a total expected cost of about 80 billion Liras (see news - in Italian - from Federtrasporti).
CIPE (Interministerial Committee for Economical Programming) started the Project at the end of 1999 by funding 75 billion Liras. Further five billion Liras were successively funded by Comune di Salerno. Works began on December 6, 1999, De Luca being City Mayor. Work completion was expected to take place in 2001.
Several delays took place (due for instance to archeological sites findings, World WarII bomb findings, unexpected sewers, bureaucratic problems...), so that the line should be completed by mid-2004 (see the Decision n. 6090 (in PDF format and Italian language) from Regione Campania on November 9, 2001).



copyright: La Citta'

copyright: La Citta'

Station M2 - Vernieri:
inner view
copyright: Ivanoe De Falco-©2003

Station M2 - Vernieri:
outer view
copyright: Ivanoe De Falco-©2003



Line

The line will consist of 8 stations, each one labelled with the "M" letter followed by a number:
Note: Due to hydrogeological problems, allocation for station M1 has been changed from planned place (Giardini della Minerva) to a new site (Via Monti, opposite the escalators). Its realization was temporarily postponed. This station has an estimated cost of four million euros, which is still to be covered.


Line features

A dedicated third track is being built along the existing FS railway line between Salerno and Battipaglia in the Salerno FS Station - Arechi section (six stations, M3-M8), and two further stations (M1-M2) along the Salerno - Cava dei Tirreni - Naples railway line.


Planned completion time
Yet, on June 4, 2004 a reportage - in Italian - from Il Mattino showed delays in works for both stations and line. The highest delays are related to stations M6, M7 and M8. At least 24 more months seem necessary.


Extension

An eastbound extension is planned for the line until Pontecagnano Airport. The project involves the construction of four more stations: with a length of 8.900 kms. Thus, total line length would become 16.600 kms.
As of 2001, the Project is financed by Italian Laws, but not yet under realization.
Estimated total cost is about 75.3 million euros. A first section, from Arechi to Pontecagnano, has already been funded for a total amount of 27.7 million euros (60% funded by Ministry for Infrastructures and 40% by Regione Campania). Procedures for funding of a second section are at an advanced state: total amount is 47.6 million euros for Pontecagnano - Airport section (related to "Goals Law of Italian Government"); this amount also includes fundings needed to complete Centro Storico - Stadio Arechi section.

Furthermore a possible westbound extension until Vietri sul Mare is being considered. With reference to this issue an agreement has been signed for renovations of Vietri su Mare railway station, which should become metro line terminus. An automated path connecting station to town centre will be built.


Related works

Further works which complete the line are:
Connection until University of Salerno at Fisciano is planned.
With regards to this project, as of 2001 funds have been granted for electrification of Salerno - Baronissi section (17.6 kms) and its connection with Salerno - Pontecagnano section, and Station - University connection. As of 2001, state of the art is at project phase.

Furthermore, integration with already existing local lines is expected, firstly with Circumsalernitana. This is an FS circular line with an average frequency of 30 minutes between 6 am and 10 pm which links Salerno, Irno, Fratte, Baronissi, Fisciano, Mercato San Severino, Castel San Giorgio, Nocera Inferiore, Nocera Superiore, Cava dei Tirreni, Vietri sul Mare and back to Salerno.


Works already completed and in use

Works in progress

Management

Line will be managed by Ente Autonomo Volturno (see news - in Italian - from Progetto Cittą Elettriche site).


Coming soon

As regards above reported dates, it should be noted that on June 4, 2004 a reportage - in Italian - from Il Mattino showed delays in works for both stations and line. The highest delays are related to stations M6, M7 and M8. At least 24 more months seem necessary.


The trains

The trains are made by Alstom. The CORADIA "Minuetto" model has been chosen. It is explicitly designed for regional mobility, has electric traction, is capable of a maximum speed of 160 km/h, and is powered at 3000 V dc.
In the below figure the shape of these trains can be seen.

all copyrights about this figure belong to Alstom

Each train will consist of three cars and will transport up to 345 passengers. Both external and interior design are by Giugiaro.
The cars are equipped with:


Participate in newsgroup about Salerno metro by Arechi.it


Latest news

April 19, 2002: first three metro trains bought from Alstom Ferroviaria S.p.A., branch of Alstom: each of them is 52 metres long and has exits at platform level. Total cost: 9,263,841 euros (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com, or see news from Railway Technology).

April 19, 2002: rearrangements in traffic directions in Torrione area due to metro works (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com).

May 24, 2002: station M2 (Via Vernieri - Duomo) will start service in September 2002. Trains of Regione Campania Metro (MetroCampania) will stop there (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com).

June 28, 2002: rearrangements in traffic directions in Pastena area due to metro works (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com).

July 2, 2002: train connection to University planned (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

July 25, 2002: works completed at Via Orofino (Torrione area) underpass, re-opening on July 27 (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com).

September 4, 2002: underpass closed at Via Del Pezzo (Torrione) to allow space for metro track (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

September 25, 2002: metro works in via Parmenide (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com).

October 9, 2002: metro works and chaos, complaints at Arbostella area (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

October 22, 2002: Regione, Provincia, Comune, Ministry for Infrastructures and Port Authority sign an agreement to complete Salerno rail "node" (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

October 24, 2002: underpass at Via Racioppi opens (see news - in Italian - from Salernocity.com).

October 30, 2002: Gianpaolo Lambiase, Responsible for Transportation of Provincia di Salerno announces integrated ticket Unico Salerno, close start of service for station Vernieri, metro line extension to Battipaglia and a connection to University (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

November 2, 2002: signed agreement between Regione Campania and Italian Government on a 2 billion euro basis: a part of them will fund completion of Salerno metro (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

November 3, 2002: Salerno metro line will be completed by end of year with an about 100 billion Lire funding (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

November 21, 2002: delays in reopening bridge in Via Del Pezzo (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

December 7, 2002: station Vernieri enters service in early February 2003 (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

December 7, 2002: Via Del Pezzo underpass re-opens today (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

December 8, 2002: Mayor Mario De Biase announces scheduling for line completion in mid-2004 (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

January 23, 2003: Rino Avella, Responsible for Mobility at Comune di Salerno, announces that on February 28, 2003 opening of station Vernieri (M2) will take place (see news -in Italian - from Il Mattino).

January 27, 2003: the state of the art (in Italian) by newspaper La Citta'.

February 26, 2003: between March 3 and March 8 car traffic will be stopped (hours: 9,30-12,30) in Via Parmenide due to railway overpass works (see news -in Italian - from Il Mattino).

March 7, 2003: Council of Regione Campania has decided to fund eight million euros to build station M1 Centro Storico - Via Monti (see news -in Italian - from La Citta').

March 7, 2003: last works for station M2 - Via Vernieri related to safety and audio system, estimated cost 30,000 euros (see news -in Italian - from La Citta').

April 7, 2003: completion of station Vernieri (M2) delayed until mid-May 2003 (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

April 12, 2003: a private citizen proposes a second station at Torrione area, close to former Di Filippo factory. The project includes ground-level and underground car parking lots, privileged pedestrian paths and a supermarket (see news 1 and news 2 - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

June 5, 2003: station Vernieri (M2) enters service next July (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

June 18, 2003: Responsible for Transports at Comune di Salerno Rino Avella reports on state of the art for metro works: see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino, and news 1, news 2 and news 3 - in Italian- from La Citta'.

September 4, 2003: station M2 - Vernieri opens on September 12. Waiting for line completion, this station will be used as stop by trains bound to Naples (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

September 12, 2003: station M2 - Vernieri has entered service (see - all in Italian - press release from Comune di Salerno, news 1 and news 2 from Il Mattino, and news 3 and news 4 from La Citta').

February 18, 2004: announcement of start of works to realize metro station in Mercatello area; interested area is around Via Parmenide overpass; as a consequence, on February 23 road network changes in Via Parmenide and Via Lungomare Colombo (expected duration, about 30 days) (see news 1 - in Italian - from Salernocity.com, and news 2 - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

April 1, 2004: politicians at Comune di Salerno discuss about possible construction of a further station in Via Della Monica (Torrione) in the area formerly belonging to Di Filippo factory (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

June 4, 2004: a reportage - in Italian - from Il Mattino shows delays in works for both stations and line. The highest delays are related to stations M6, M7 and M8. At least 24 more months seem necessary.

June 5, 2004: Agency for Archaeological Treasures and Comune di Salerno argue on delays in works at station M6 - Mercatello (where roman thermae have been found) (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

June 7, 2004: works at Via Parmenide overpass have been completed, and area has been re-opened to car traffic (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

October 16, 2004: UIL trade union fears for stop to metro works (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

November 10, 2004: technical and financial problems in metro works (see news - in Italian - from La Citta').

November 11, 2004: ten more million euros will be funded by Regione Campania to complete metro works (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

December 30, 2004: Regione Campania has funded 34.3 million euros to complete Salerno Metro until Pontecagnano Airport. Station M1 (Centro Storico) will be realized. Further 8.26 million euros for anti-noise barriers. First train will run on the line by March 2006. Furthermore a possible westbound extension until Vietri sul Mare is being considered (see news #1 and news #2 - both in Italian - from Il Mattino).

March 22, 2005: new railway overpass at Via Parmenide (Mercatello area) is under construction (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

April 21, 2005: Salerno City Council has approved a variation in plans to perform archaeological excavations in the area of M6 - Mercatello station. This will allow to continue works to build the station (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

September 24, 2005: an interesting reportage - in Italian - from Il Mattino describes the state of the art for metro works, and gives details on all the stations.

January 26, 2006: Salerno Mayor Mario De Biase announces that line tests will start in six months, and service will start in one year (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

March 22, 2006: Ennio Cascetta, Responsible for Transports at Regione Campania, declares that in next weeks six stations of Salerno metro will be opened (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).

September 1, 2006: Regione Campania has allocated 8 million euros for the realization of station M1 - Centro storico alto - via Monti and 27 million euros to extend the line until Pontecagnano (see news - in Italian - from Il Mattino).


Documents

Documento Programmatico dello Sviluppo Cittadino (Programming Document for City Development) of Comune di Salerno (1994).

News - in Italian - from Federtrasporti about start of works (1997).

Decision n. 6090 (in PDF format and Italian language) from Regione Campania on November 9, 2001.

Attachments (in PDF format and Italian language) to the above decsion, and related to Salerno.

Page on Salerno metro system from Italferr, which has in charge design and supervision of works.


Links

Links to official sites about Salerno:
Comune di Salerno
Provincia di Salerno
Regione Campania
Provincia di Salerno Tourism Office

Links to portals about Salerno:
Salernocity.com
Il meglio di Salerno (on September 23, 2002 a link to this page was added on that site).
Arechi.it
La Citta' Salerno newspaper
University di Salerno

Links to sites about public transport in Salerno:
CSTP - Salerno Area Transit Authority (contains buses timetable)
Ferrovie dello Stato(contains local train timetable)
UnicoCampania site on integrated public transport system in Regione Campania
MetroCampania Regione Campania metro service
Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport

Links to sites about metro systems:
UrbanRail.Net by Robert Schwandl: the best site on metro systems I know (on November 9, 2002 a link to this page was added on that site).
Metronapoli site on Naples metro transport system by Paolo Marotta (on July 11, 2002 a link to this page was added on that site).
www.subways.net by Dan Weissmann: catalogue on metro systems in the world (on January 28, 2003 a link to this page was added on that site).
Line Maps of World Subways by Osamu Abe: site on metro systems in the world (on January 28, 2003 a link to this page was added on that site).
The Subway Pages by Robert Reynolds: site with links and information on metro systems in the world (on January 28, 2003 a link to this page was added on that site).
Arandaweb.com: spanish site with links and information on metro systems in the world (in 2003 a link to this page wad added on that site).


Naples metro system


People said about this site:

La Citta':
on July 14, 2002 reported on this site. The title was: "The initiative. Salerno Metro: All information on the net".
The whole article (in Italian) is here or here (local copy).

Giovanni (Il meglio di Salerno staff member):
Thanks for your note. We have visited the site and we will soon report on it in our pages. Congratulations for your work! It will definitely be of interest to Salernitan visitors.

Communication Office at Comune di Salerno:
We thank you for making news about the city light metro under development widely known, and in general for spending some of your time in providing the city with a free service.

Giovanni (Il meglio di Salerno staff member):
We have visited your site and, since we think it is very interesting and well developed, we have decided to add it to the "New Entry" section of our directory. In near future it will be described in our news-letter as well.

Elisabetta Ientile, Italy:
Your site on Salerno Metro is really beautiful and useful.

Marco Grimaldi, Naples, Italy:
After a meticulous visit to your sites on Naples and Salerno metros, I have to compliment on you for the excellent job done, no words to describe it!

Antonio Lombardi, Italy:
Congratulations on the site; go on.

Giuliana Moscati, Italy:
Many congratulations on the precision in providing us with information on Salerno metro. Let's hope to be able to use it soon.

Leroy W. Demery, Jr, Senior Associate, Publictransit.us:
Thank you for your excellent Salerno Metro Unofficial Site.



Comments? Suggestions? News? Rights infringements?
Contact me by e-mail: defalcoivanoe@netscape.net




September 1, 2006: more than 22,600 visits to these pages from 78 countries since site opening (July 10, 2002).
Thanks to everybody!



© 2002 by Ivanoe De Falco
Created: July 10, 2002
On the web: July 10, 2002
Last updated: September 1, 2006