Brescia Metro

The network consists of a single line, having a length of 13.7 kilometres (8.5 mi) and a total of 17 stations from Prealpino to Sant’Eufemia-Buffalora, located respectively at the north and southeast of Brescia.

During this time, several other European cities had introduced their own automated light metro networks, which likely provided a model for Brescia's transport planners.

While efforts were made during the 1990s to secure funding and attempt to launch the project, the tendering process for the construction of the first section of the Metro was initiated in 2000.

In April 2003, a €575 million contract was awarded to a consortium led by Ansaldo STS, which included AnsaldoBreda, Astaldi and Acciona, who proposed to implement a system bearing considerable similarities to the Copenhagen Metro.

However, progress was hindered by the discovery of several sites of archaeological importance, leading to redesign efforts to minimise the network's infringement on such historical locations.

This first railway line has been viewed as simply being the starting point for the subsequent construction of an ambitious and large metro network spanning across the city and into its suburbs; multiple plans for its expansion have been proposed.

[citation needed] In April 2003, a €575 million contract was awarded to a consortium led by Ansaldo STS, which included AnsaldoBreda, Astaldi and Acciona, who proposed to implement a system that would be largely similar to the Copenhagen Metro.

[6] Of the other partners, Astaldi supervised the execution of the project's civil engineering, including the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, while AnsaldoBreda manufactured the rolling stock.

[6] Reportedly, plans have been mooted for the construction of a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) line that would run between Lamarmora Station and the Fiera Exhibition Ground, traversing through a densely populated part of the city in the process.

Instead of placing individual drivers into the cabs of each train for its operation, all vehicles are instead actively and continuously managed from a centralised control centre, which is capable of monitoring the movements of traffic across any part of the network.

[citation needed] Reportedly, the maximum achievable ridership of the present system is believed to be 8,500 passengers per hour in either direction, during which trains would be operated with a headway of as little as 180 seconds.

The site of Volta station in May 2006.
Ospedale station entrance.
AnsaldoBreda train for the Brescia Metro.