Milan Metro

The Milan Metro is a massive rapid transit system located in Milan, Italy.

It serves as the primary way for people to move quickly through the city and its surrounding areas. Operated by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi, the network is a vital part of the region's infrastructure. It is currently the largest rapid transit system in Italy. This status is based on its total length, its number of stations, and its high ridership. The system is also quite large on a continental scale. It ranks as the fifth longest metro system in the European Union and the eighth in Europe. On typical weekdays, the metro carries approximately 1.4 million passengers.

The network is composed of five distinct lines. Most of these lines run deep underground beneath the streets of Milan. However, some parts of the system are above ground. For example, the northern section of Line 2 and the Assago branch of Line 2 are surface lines. The system includes a total of 125 stations, with two more currently under construction. To help passengers navigate, the system uses nine interchange stations where two lines meet. These include major hubs like Loreto, Cadorna, Centrale, and Duomo. These junctions allow travelers to switch between different parts of the city easily.

The metro uses several different methods to provide electricity to its trains. This is necessary because different lines were built at different times using different technologies. Lines 2 and 3 rely on overhead lines to supply 1500 V DC of electric current. Line 1 is slightly different. It primarily uses a fourth rail system with 750 V DC. Interestingly, Line 1 also supports overhead lines in certain stretches and depots. This allows Line 2 and 3 trains to use Line 1 tracks when traveling to a depot. Lines 4 and 5 use a third rail system, which also operates at 750 V DC.

This variety of power systems shows how the network has grown over many decades.

The history of the Milan Metro began much earlier than the first train ride. Designers first drew up plans for subway lines in 1914 and 1925. They looked at existing underground networks in cities like London and Paris for inspiration. In 1938, a plan for seven different lines was created. However, this project stopped because of World War II and a lack of money. It was not until July 3, 1952, that the city administration officially voted for a metro project. In 1955, a new company called Metropolitana Milanese was formed to manage the construction. The city provided 500 million lire in funding, and the rest was covered by a loan.

Construction on the first line began in May 1957 at viale Monte Rosa. This first line, known as Line 1, finally opened on November 1, 1964. The initial section ran from Lotto to Sesto Marelli and included 21 stations. The opening was a major event for the city. At 10:41 a.m., two trains decorated with Italian flags departed. They arrived at the Sesto Marelli terminus at 11:15 a.m. The arrival was celebrated with the national anthem and music from Giuseppe Verdi's opera, "Aida." Following this success, Line 2 opened in 1969. Line 3 followed in 1990, just before the World Cup. The more modern, driverless Line 5 opened in 2013, and Line 4 opened in 2022.

Modern technology makes traveling on the metro very efficient. All stations are equipped with LED screens that show destinations and waiting times.

A recorded voice also announces the station names and train directions. For payment, a standard ticket costs €2.20 and is valid for 90 minutes. This ticket works on the metro, trams, buses, and suburban lines within Milan and 21 neighboring municipalities. Passengers can also use smartcards like the Itinero or RicaricaMi cards. Recently, the system added the ability to pay by tapping a contactless bank card on orange gates. This makes the process of entering a station much faster for commuters.

The metro is more than just a city service; it is a massive interconnected system. It serves 13 neighboring municipalities, including Assago, Rho, and Sesto San Giovanni. The metro also links directly to the suburban railway network through 14 different interchange stations. This connectivity allows people to travel from the heart of Milan to the wider Lombardy region. The system's scale is impressive, with Line 1 covering 26.7 kilometers and Line 2 covering 39.9 kilometers. Even the newer lines are significant, such as the 15-kilometer Line 4. As the city grows, the metro continues to expand through new extensions and planned projects.