«Suddenly we heard the formidable noise of the enormous double-decker trams, which bounced past, shining with multicolored lights, like villages in celebration…». It was 1909. In the Manifesto of Futurism, Tommaso Marinetti extolled the modernity of trams. More than a century later, from opposite sides, the left relaunches with ardor.
Despite the relentless passing of time. In all the big cities governed by the Dems, there are exhausting construction sites and strong controversies. Stunned by the security emergency, dozing by the crime alarm, the mayors of the Democratic Party stick to the tram.
Sustainable mobility and contradictions
It is the revered homage to sustainable mobility preached by Elly Schlein, turbo environmentalist secretary. The side effects, however, are not trivial: environmental devastationeternal jobs, dubious usefulness, glaring contradictions. The funds of Pnrr intended for this purpose are extraordinarily lavish: 5.4 billionFor 18 cities. But the ancient tram transport risks becoming the emblem of ecologists ready-to-wear. Dams should not be built to avoid disturbing two otters, as on the Enza river, in the lower Modena area. But hundreds of trees are blown down or historic centers are defaced to lay kilometers of tracks.
Legambiente also captures the extraordinary moment, with a lyrical praise: «Born in the 19th century and almost canceled in Italy by the advent of the automobile, the tram has been experiencing a new spring throughout Europe for years thanks to its undeniable benefits: less traffic, less pollution and revitalization of urban spaces».
Bologna, construction sites and UNESCO
Unbridled optimism, however, often crosses controversial reality. Like in Bologna, where they are expected 23 kilometers of new tramways. For mayor Matteo Lepore, theorist of the city at thirty miles per hour, it is now a question of political life or death: “Thanks to the tram, I will win the elections again”, he announces confidently. We’ll see. Under the arcades, in the meantime, there is no talk of anything else. Today’s plague is “traffic”, as Johnny Stecchino’s uncle said in the famous film. In short: protests, inconveniences, overbuilding. The works should be completed in June 2026, but the first trains will only be seen in 2027. Meanwhile, via Indipendenza was reopened a few months ago. Lepore had promised the “permanent pedestrianization” of the historic Bolognese street. In reality, the daredevils will be forced to dodge carriages and dangers.
One “bad thing” after another. The city even risks losing recognition of theUNESCOassures the Committee for historical and artistic Bologna, founded way back in 1899. It includes a number of urban planners and also the superintendent, Francesca Tomba. «A poor project and execution of the works, the result of total deregulation» writes the association.
According to experts, the tram was “designed by people who have never seen a historic center and approved by those who preferred to look the other way”. Not only that: the infrastructure is defined as “an eyesore” which “has no similar examples in Italy and Europe”. You see the ancient Via San Felice, «reduced to a concrete tunnel». While waiting for Lepore’s supposed electoral triumph, on the new green line the prosecutor’s office also opened a case after a complaint from a resident in Via dei Mille: the work until late at night and the dust would have caused him serious health problems. The mobile team is now investigating any anomalies on the construction site.
Rome, promises and delays
For goodness sake, no rhetoric. No one denies the difficulty of navigating the meanders of the city. But are we sure that the good old tram is always the best solution? It arrives decades late. And after the left placed insurmountable vetoes on the subway. In Bologna it was approved a quarter of a century ago by Giorgio Guazzaloca, the only centre-right mayor in history. The governments of the time had even financed it. However, it was rejected for the usual reasons: possible archaeological finds underground and buried waterways. In the meantime, from Milan to Rome, digging continued without too many worries.
Now, however, that spring breeze perceived by Legambiente is also blowing in the capital. «Rome is made for trams, transport science says so», certifies the Capitoline Mobility Councilor, Eugenio Patanè. But the revolution proceeds between furious criticism and exasperating slowness. See TVA, acronym for the now mythological Termini-Vatican-Aurelius. Despite the bombastic announcements, even the final project is missing.
Yet, Roberto Gualtieri had even included the work in his electoral programme. At the end of 2024, the mayor reiterated: «The construction site will start soon. The stretch from Piazza Giureconsulti to Largo Micara must be completed by 2026, because it is financed with Pnrr funds”. That is to say 138 millionwhich now become increasingly at risk. For the rest: damaged tracks, old convoys and bus routes. Roman trams are the slowest in Italy, after those of Naples. But things are destined to change drastically, warns the Piddina administration. Over a hundred fabulous and supersonic vehicles arrive, he rejoices. They were promised by the end of 2025. Not a single one has been seen.
Padua and Florence: trees and tracks
Padua has also decided to stick to the tram, amidst endless protests and interminable inconveniences. The center-right proposed the electrification of buses. Instead, the council led by Sergio Giordani decided to implement it without hesitation thirty kilometers of tracks. Public transport, however, is not particularly appreciated: the latest data confirms a decisive return to private mobility. Meanwhile, the city remains in chaos. The pragmatic Paduans don’t seem to like the choice very much. The costs of tram lines have risen to 640 million. Experts even object to the solution identified: the now obsolete ones monorail tram. While environmentalists continue to protest vigorously: they would have already been cut over a thousand majestic stems, replaced by seedlings. Italy our alert: «Let’s save the trees from the attack of the tram».
The historic association, also in Florence, denounces the creation “of an extensive, very expensive and invasive tram network which produces the reorganization of the transport system, with negative consequences on mobility, accessibility and liveability”. Yes, not all environmentalists are rejoicing in the “new spring”. And even the Florentine centre-right attacks: «Over a thousand fewer trees to make room for the tramway», reports the Civic List of Eike Schmidt, the former director of the Uffizi and already a candidate for mayor. «It is a war bulletin, a useless massacre of greenery, an tree-killing which however does not shake or arouse the minds of the alleged Greens or eco-activists, so sponsored by the junta». Endless foliage is replaced by tender twigs, which perhaps the children of the grandchildren will appreciate. Meanwhile, cuts continue on the Colombo Lungarno, to make room for the line towards Bagno a Ripoli.
Here too, a bit like in monochromatic Bologna, the left has always been fiercely opposed to the subway. What if a precious fossil is found underground? Horror. The standard bearers eco-chic they have nothing in common with their adversaries, ruthless cement builders. And instead: how wonderful, the tramway. Kilometers of tracks that pass by churches and masterpieces. Two weeks ago, in the bowels of Piazza Beccaria, ancient walls were even found. A stunning surprise? Nope. This was already known seven years ago. But the priceless finds did not prevent the project from being approved. And what does the mayor Sara Funaro, an all-time Schleineian, do? He doesn’t hesitate for a second. The walls must be removed and demolished, of course. “We must proceed and move forward,” he urges. Taking care of the nonsense stirred up by the superintendency. Do zealous opponents continue to object? They reread Marinetti. How wonderful, those enormous double-decker trams…
