Florence T2 tram extension has been put into operation, after an official ceremony held on January 25, 2025 at Piazza San Marco.
The event was attended by the Mayor Sara Funaro, the Councilor for Mobility, Roads and Trams Andrea Giorgio, the president of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani, the CEO of Gest, Denis Ratto, the president of Tram Spa Fabrizio Bartaloni, the MEP and former mayor Dario Nardella and Stefano Giorgetti, former Councilor for Mobility.
“Following inauguration, travel on the extension will be free for two weeks for all citizens. We will do this to give the opportunity to make the best possible use of another access to the center and another piece of a connection system for the entire city,” Mayor Funaro said.
Work for the 2.5 km extension was launched in the summer of 2023, while the T2 line was inaugurated in February 2019, together creating a 7.8 km direct tram connection.
Operated by Gest, an RATP Dev subsidiary, the extension connects Peretola Airport and Piazza San Marco, in the city centre. The T2 line, which ensures around 800 daily trips, now includes 6 new stops, including Lavagnini-Fortezza to the San Marco Università stops.
“This is yet another step in the development of mobility in Florence. The tram network is growing, and with the opening of this new extension, the tram service will reach the historic city center from the airport in just 35 minutes. To ensure the success of this project, we initiated the fourth edition of the Accademia program, trained and hired 14 new drivers, and hired 3 maintenance workers and 2 controllers,” the CEO of GEST, Denis Ratto, said.
Florence T2 tram extension is expected to transport more than 3.4 million passengers each year who will be added to those who already use T2 which recorded 11.5 million passengers in 2024. The extension will reduce the number of cars by 2,600 every day, in addition to the almost 13,600 currently travelling along the entire T2 route.
With a frequency of 4 minutes during rush hours, the journey time on the extension is approximately 35 minutes from the airport to the city centre.
The opening of the extension coincides with the launch of construction works for the T3 tram line connecting Piazza Libertà to Bagno a Ripoli, which will be also operated by Gest.
In 2024, Hitachi Rail has been awarded a contract to supply 46 battery trams for Florence which are expected to be delivered starting 2026.
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