Catania Metro

Catania metro system, or Metropolitana di Catana in italian, is the shortest in the world.
The total length of the system is just 3.8 kms. It just has 6 stations.
Metropolitana of Catania, usually known as just Metro, its operating since 27 June 1999.

Catania metro

Catania metro system, or Metropolitana di Catana in italian, is the shortest in the world.
The total length of the system is just 3.8 kms. It just has 6 stations.
Metropolitana of Catania, usually known as just Metro, its operating since 27 June 1999.

The city, located in the coast of Sicily, is the second largest of the province.
Catania was facing urban transportation congestion so the need for the metro service was justified.
The work is just “half done” as the system doesn’t reach many destinations, working hours and frecuency are not
enough and the consequence is that is not a very popular transport. Then is not easy to find funding to expand
and improve the system.

It is managed by the Ferrovia Circumetnea,FCE, (Etna rails). The metro system is being extended
and there are some stations and sections under construction (Piazza Giovanni XXIII, Piazza Stesicoro…).
Metro services are going to be complemented with another system operated by RFI (Reti Ferroviarie Italiane).

Lines and stations

The northen half of the route (Borgo to Piazza Galatea section) the Metropolitana di Catana circulates
underground and is double track. The other half (Piazza Galatea to Porto section) circulates at ground level
and is single track. That’s another limitation for the frecuency that trains can depart.

Stations: Borgo, Giuffrida, Italia, Galatea, Stazione F.S. Centrale and Porto.
Borgo station connects with the Circumetnea railway.

There are two more planned lines and should be currently open but due to funding problems the
projects are stalled.

Hours of operation and frecuency

It doesn’t operate very often. There is a train every 15 minutes but you could find yourself waiting for almost half an hour.
Hours of operation are from 07:00 until 20:45 and only from monday to saturday.

Rates and tickets.

The tickets cost € 1 for 90 minutes and € 2,50 for a day. There is also a season ticket for a month for 10€.
You can purchase tickets at kiosks. Tickets are also valid for urban buses.
Tickets must be validated when you use them at metro gates or machines on buses.

Interesting facts

The metro system is facing several problems: not enough riderships due to limited destinations, service frequency
and working hours.

Connection to the airport

By the public Alibus line 457 of AMT which departs from the central train station.
An extension to the system is planned since 2006 from Galatea to the west,
and probably it will get to the airport from Stesicoro.

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