Unlike Naples' other three funiculars with upper terminals near Piazza Vanvitelli in Vomero, the Mergellina line is located farther to the northwest.

The Chiaia, Central and Montesanto funiculars connect nearby lower areas of Naples to the high neighborhood of Vomero.

While the line remained popular, it did not generate revenue that could finance its overhaul, and its operators transferred management over to regional authorities.

The line closed briefly between May 1989 and March 1990 for an overhaul to the rail and traction systems,[1] in time for Naples to host the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

As with the other three, ANM was replaced as the operator on 1 February 2001 by Metronapoli,[1] who began a process of better integrating the various elements of rail transport within Naples, creating better interchanges and connections.