Lines 3, 5, 14 and 19 replaced by shuttle buses from 3 August as city prepares for new tram fleet.Rome's tram network will undergo a major disruption from Monday, with services on lines 3, 5, 14 and 19 replaced entirely by shuttle buses while engineers carry out extensive maintenance work.  According to the capital's transport authority, the closures are needed to prepare sections of track for the introduction of new Urbos trams, which will eventually replace the 1940s-era vehicles. Maintenance works The works include upgrades to the Nomentana electrical substation that powers the tram lines, alongside separate roadworks by national roads agency Anas on the Prenestina ring road and at Scalo San Lorenzo.   The suspension is also being used as an opportunity to renew track along the older parts of the network and to build a new tram terminus in Viale delle Milizie, part of efforts to bring trams back to the Prati district in a way compatible with construction of the Colosseo-Farnesina stretch of Metro Line C.   Operator Atac said normal tram services would resume gradually between 7 September and 23 November, meaning some routes could remain bus-only for around three months. Tram lines 2 and 8 Two other lines are already affected by separate works: line 2, between Piazzale Flaminio and Piazza Mancini, is being replaced by buses because of works in Viale delle Belle Arti, while line 8, between Casaletto and Piazza Venezia, is running shuttle buses owing to track works on the Circonvallazione Gianicolense.   Replacement buses will largely follow existing tram stops, though a number of diversions and temporary stops have been introduced along each route.   For detailed information and updates see the Roma Servizi per la Mobilità website.   Photo credit: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com