Starting November 10, a dedicated municipal police team will begin patrolling Florence’s buses and tram lines to enhance passenger and driver safety. The initiative, called “Viaggiare più sicuri” (“Traveling More Safely”), is a one-year pilot project launched by the city government to address growing concerns about public order and security on public transport.
The 20-officer team, drawn from the city’s Reparto Antidegrado (anti-degradation unit), will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with additional night shifts on weekends. The officers will patrol both onboard and at key stops, focusing initially on high-traffic and more problematic areas such as Santa Maria Novella station, Piazza Dalmazia, the Fortezza area, and Piazza Paolo Uccello.
The service will first cover bus lines 30 and 35, before being extended to other routes identified in cooperation with neighborhood councils, Autolinee Toscane (the regional bus company), and transport workers’ unions. In total, the program foresees 1,000 patrols and about 15,000 hours of service over twelve months.
The city’s approach combines prevention and enforcement. Officers will be visible on the ground to discourage antisocial behavior, but they will also conduct investigations and coordinate with social services when more complex situations arise.
Public transport in Florence has grown significantly in recent years with the expansion of the tram system, but issues of petty crime, vandalism, and aggressive behavior—especially around the central station—have raised concerns among commuters. By deploying a dedicated police unit, Palazzo Vecchio aims to strengthen confidence in using buses and trams, supporting the broader goal of promoting sustainable mobility in the city.
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