Naples: Funiculars in fits and starts, the daily odyssey of workers and tourists

More problems for public transport on rail in Naples. After the reopening of the funicolare of Chiaia, which occurred on January 31st after two and a half years of closure for overhaul work, the city's funiculars continue to stop suddenly, causing inconvenience to thousands of people.

Repeating Faults

This morning, the Montesanto funicular stopped twice, while the Chiaia funicular stopped for almost an hour and a half. Only last Friday, the Centrale funicular also stopped temporarily. “A real odyssey,” comments engineer Gennaro Capodanno, president of the Comitato Valori collinari and who has been involved in monitoring public transport in Naples for years.

Montesanto in the Viewfinder

Of greatest concern is the Montesanto funicular, which has stopped several times in recent days. The system, in fact, is operating thanks to an extension granted by the Ministry of Transport and Ansfisa, since the twenty-year overhaul work should have started already in June of last year.

The New Year's Appeal

Capodanno urges Mayor Manfredi and Transport Councilor Cosenza to intervene promptly. “It would be a good idea to evaluate the possibility of starting work quickly on the Montesanto funicular, while at the same time establishing an alternative road transport,” Capodanno suggests, emphasizing the inconvenience caused by the continuous shutdowns of the facilities, especially for tourists visiting the San Martino area.

The Critical Context of Public Transport

The situation of the funiculars is part of an already difficult context for public transport on rail in Naples, with problems also recorded on the metropolitan lines, as happened this morning for line 6.