Over 22 Million Passengers and New Lines Ahead for Florence Tramway

Florence’s tramway is experiencing record numbers. In the first half of 2025, more than 22.7 million passengers used the service, well above the expectations set out in the city’s financial plans. Even in June, traditionally a quieter month due to school holidays, the system carried over 3.7 million riders—around 2.18 million on Line T1 and nearly 1.55 million on Line T2.

A major boost came from the new Variante Alternativa Centro Storico (VACS), which opened at the end of January. The short extension of Line T2 connects Fortezza da Basso with Piazza San Marco, adding six stops closer to the heart of the historic center. Since its opening, passenger numbers on Line T2 have climbed steadily, peaking at 1.7 million riders in May.

City officials now estimate that total ridership could reach 45 million passengers by the end of the year, confirming the tramway as one of Florence’s most successful investments in public transport.

While the existing network is already exceeding expectations, the tramway is also expanding. Construction is underway on Line T3.2.1, which will run for more than seven kilometers from Piazza della Libertà to Bagno a Ripoli. The line will include 17 stops, cross the Arno over the Verrazzano bridge, and is expected to carry more than 11 million passengers each year once completed at the end of 2026. The project, worth €448 million and partly financed through Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, also includes planting new trees and creating parking areas along the route.

Other extensions are in different stages of planning. These include the continuation of Line T3 towards Rovezzano, the extension of Line T2 from the airport to Sesto Fiorentino, and a new Line T4 that would serve the Piagge district and eventually Campi Bisenzio. The T4 Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. If all projects move ahead, the tramway network will grow to about 40 kilometers and could carry up to 86 million passengers a year.

The expansion of the tramway has not come without controversy. Residents and commuters have raised concerns that the construction sites will worsen traffic congestion in several key areas of the city over the coming years. Environmental groups have also criticized the large number of trees cut down along the future routes. City officials, however, have pledged to replant the same number of trees—or more—in other areas of Florence, as part of broader urban regeneration projects.

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