"As has been the case for several years now," begins Gennaro Capodanno, president of the Public Transport Committee and the Valori Colliri Committee, "in Naples, from the beginning of July, when very few residents still leave for holidays. Holidays outside the city have now been largely limited, with the exception of weekends, to the mid-August period, thus resulting in the endemic traffic problems persisting even in the summer, new timetables will be activated for ANM rail and bus services, and in particular for metro line 1."
"As stated on the official website of the Neapolitan Mobility Company," Capodanno emphasizes, "the 2019 summer timetable for metro line 1 will come into effect starting July 1st. It is divided into two phases, as follows: "From July 1st to August 2nd and from September 2nd to September 8th, the holiday timetable is in effect, with an average frequency of 10 minutes in the morning and 12 minutes in the afternoon; from August 3rd to September 1st, trains will run according to a "single time slot" from 6:00 am to 11:02 pm, with a frequency of 14 minutes, valid every day, weekdays and holidays." This is an unwelcome surprise that will certainly not be welcomed by the thousands of users who use this essential means of rail transport every day, especially for work-related travel."
“But that's not all,” Capodanno continues. “On the same website, we read: “The second exits of the Rione Alto II stations (via D'Antona), Montedonzelli via dell'Erba, and Montecalvario (Toledo station) will be closed to the public from June 22nd to September 08th.” Regarding rail transport, the Mergellina funicular will be closed to the public from June 30th to September 1st.”
"Things are no better for surface transport," Capodanno points out, "for which, again starting July 1st, the temporary suspension of around twenty lines has been announced, to which, starting July 21st, others will be added, as further specified on the ANM website."
“Public transport, therefore,” Capodanno concludes, “with waits even longer than usual, especially for the hilly metro and for road transport.”
Capodanno hopes that the timetable can be revised, restoring the normal frequency of metro line 1, especially during the month of July, extending the operation of rail, metro, and funicular transport into the night hours, so as not to penalize the many Neapolitans who remain in the city, as well as the numerous tourists who visit during this time of year. Furthermore, the secondary exits at Montecalvario, Montedonzelli, and Rione Alto will remain open during the summer months as well.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Choose the social channel you want to subscribe to