Buses.

The Rome Journals, April 20, 2024

A week ago, I arrived in Rome to spend the next 12 months studying. My first week was been a busy one: sorting out admin, sheets, where is the best supermarket whilst attending welcome classes at the school. However, by far the biggest thing I had to sort in that first week was transport. Specifically, buses. I'm a big fan of the bus - there are so many benefits from a sustainability point of view that it makes sense.

Where I live has no metro, so to get to and from school, my options are to cycle, walk, or take the bus. For context: the distance is approx. 2 kms as the crow flies. Walking is not really an option, as the route takes me down a busy winding road that has no footpath until about halfway down. It’s nerve wracking! Cycling poses a similar problem. This leaves buses as my realistic option. To get to class I need to take at least 2 buses. I have tried numerous routes – each with varied success.

Here are my observations from the first week using buses.

Timetables are (seemingly) optional.

Buses in Rome seem to work to a timetable known only to them. Sometimes they just don’t arrive. Or, they state they are arriving in 15 mins and then, next minute, one arrives. Or they arrive and leave early. This isn’t so handy for planning! In theory, getting to school from home should be between 33 mins and 48 mins on public transport (time of day dependent). It always ends up being more like 60mins +. To put it into perspective driving or cycling are less than 15 mins. Walking 50 mins. As class finishes at 9pm, this means I will get home after 10pm on the bus.

Onboard: get cosy with your travel buddies 

Buses are crowded. Really crowded. Adding to the misery, especially on a hot day, is that they are poorly designed. (They could take a lesson from London buses that have more seats and space for people). Speaking of seats, they are plastic so that you literally slip all over the place and therefore need to hang on for dear life. Who thought this was a good idea?

Are drivers frustrated rally drivers?

My observation is that bus drivers take joy in stumbling through gear changes and slamming on the brakes. This approach ensures all passengers are required to hang on for dear life. Those fortunate (or unfortunate enough) to be on plastic seats use sheer force to cling onto their position or risk slipping off the seat as though they are on a water slide. The crowds (see above) have one benefit: you are saved from hitting the floor because you are being held up by those pressed against you.

Tickets.

I'm all about paying for public services such as transport. Payment here seems to be optional. It’s inexpensive to get around: 90 mins is about €1.30, for multiple rides in that time. Paper tickets need to either be bought at a Tabacchi before you travel and validated onboard. Or you can use your debit/credit card – but only on one machine, placed at the front of the bus. This means if it’s crowded (see above) you have no chance of ever tapping in. Only a few people ever seem to use this. I suspect it is just tourists (like me) who tap in, or the locals have monthly tickets which do not require validation – I’m of course speculating on that point as I just don't know. I'll update if and when I find out what's going on. Not that I think anyone will be losing sleep over it.

I can’t help but wonder if more people paid, there may be more and better buses and improved routes, which would mean less cars on the road, and more options for people to cycle or walk. I live in hope.

The upshot for me is that buses are not really an option for school, so I have taken the decision to use my car in Rome. While frustrating, buses do serve a purpose and can be really good - I've found them great for getting across the city. Wish me luck because driving in Rome is another chapter, as is parking, which is very special.