Tuesday 29 September 2026 10:09
Rome begins road tests on new red trams
First of 121 new trams hits the tracks.Rome has begun technical testing of its new fleet of red trams, the first step towards putting them into passenger service on the streets of the Italian capital.
The first tram left the Porta Maggiore depot on Monday morning, in the presence of mayor Roberto Gualtieri, mobility councillor Eugenio Patanè and ATAC general manager Paolo Aielli. It was towed to tracks in the San Giovanni area where the tests got under way.
The Urbos trams were built by Spanish group Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). There are currently more than 1,900 Urbos trams operating in over 50 cities around the world.
"Safety first, then passengers," Patanè said on Facebook, promising further updates at the next stage.The tests are being carried out on a working line, without passengers on board. ATAC technicians are taking part alongside staff from ANSFISA, Italy's national rail and road infrastructure safety agency, to complete the tests required under tram sector regulations.The first round of trials will take place this week on Viale Carlo Felice, from 09.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday. Some changes to tram services will remain in force for the whole testing period, including a diversion of line 3 between Viale Manzoni and Porta Maggiore.Further trials under the plan approved by ANSFISA will follow, mostly at night. They are required before the first vehicle can be cleared for service.The tram is part of a first batch of 80 vehicles, out of the 121 covered by the tender, which are arriving in the capital gradually. ATAC already has 12 available. These can be used on the existing network and, gradually, on the new stretches of line now under construction.The trams were bought by ATAC with funds from Italy's post-Covid recovery plan (PNRR) and from government ministries.The vehicles are double-ended, with a capacity of 215 passengers, 68 of them seated, and have dedicated spaces for people with disabilities. They are fitted with advanced safety systems and can run without overhead power lines using the latest-generation batteries. All have low floors for easy access.Rome unveiled the first Urbos in March, when Gualtieri said the €457 million order was the largest tram tender in Europe.
Photo Roma Capitale
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Rome has begun technical testing of its new fleet of red trams, the first step towards putting them into passenger service on the streets of the Italian capital.
The first tram left the Porta Maggiore depot on Monday morning, in the presence of mayor Roberto Gualtieri, mobility councillor Eugenio Patanè and ATAC general manager Paolo Aielli. It was towed to tracks in the San Giovanni area where the tests got under way.
The Urbos trams were built by Spanish group Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). There are currently more than 1,900 Urbos trams operating in over 50 cities around the world.
"Safety first, then passengers," Patanè said on Facebook, promising further updates at the next stage.
The tests are being carried out on a working line, without passengers on board. ATAC technicians are taking part alongside staff from ANSFISA, Italy's national rail and road infrastructure safety agency, to complete the tests required under tram sector regulations.
The first round of trials will take place this week on Viale Carlo Felice, from 09.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday. Some changes to tram services will remain in force for the whole testing period, including a diversion of line 3 between Viale Manzoni and Porta Maggiore.
Further trials under the plan approved by ANSFISA will follow, mostly at night. They are required before the first vehicle can be cleared for service.
The tram is part of a first batch of 80 vehicles, out of the 121 covered by the tender, which are arriving in the capital gradually. ATAC already has 12 available. These can be used on the existing network and, gradually, on the new stretches of line now under construction.
The trams were bought by ATAC with funds from Italy's post-Covid recovery plan (PNRR) and from government ministries.
The vehicles are double-ended, with a capacity of 215 passengers, 68 of them seated, and have dedicated spaces for people with disabilities. They are fitted with advanced safety systems and can run without overhead power lines using the latest-generation batteries. All have low floors for easy access.
Rome unveiled the first Urbos in March, when Gualtieri said the €457 million order was the largest tram tender in Europe.
The tests are being carried out on a working line, without passengers on board. ATAC technicians are taking part alongside staff from ANSFISA, Italy's national rail and road infrastructure safety agency, to complete the tests required under tram sector regulations.
The first round of trials will take place this week on Viale Carlo Felice, from 09.00 to 18.00, Monday to Friday. Some changes to tram services will remain in force for the whole testing period, including a diversion of line 3 between Viale Manzoni and Porta Maggiore.
Further trials under the plan approved by ANSFISA will follow, mostly at night. They are required before the first vehicle can be cleared for service.
The tram is part of a first batch of 80 vehicles, out of the 121 covered by the tender, which are arriving in the capital gradually. ATAC already has 12 available. These can be used on the existing network and, gradually, on the new stretches of line now under construction.
The trams were bought by ATAC with funds from Italy's post-Covid recovery plan (PNRR) and from government ministries.
The vehicles are double-ended, with a capacity of 215 passengers, 68 of them seated, and have dedicated spaces for people with disabilities. They are fitted with advanced safety systems and can run without overhead power lines using the latest-generation batteries. All have low floors for easy access.
Rome unveiled the first Urbos in March, when Gualtieri said the €457 million order was the largest tram tender in Europe.
Photo Roma Capitale
