Trams and Busses, Milan

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Here at the Central Station we can see a very old and a very new tram (aka streetcar) standing side by side on adjacent tracks.

Milan has an extensive tram and bus system as well as three underground railway lines (aka subways), so there is actually no need for most of the automobiles that continue to befoul the city.

Second photo: In Milan the initials ATM do not only mean Automatic Teller Machine, but also "Azienda Trasporti Milanesi", an organization which was established in 1931 and which now is a Public Limited Company belonging to the Municipality of Milan. The ATM now manages the public transport system in the urban area and in 87 municipalities in the province, so altogether they serve a territory with a population of about 3 million people.

ATMosfera: the new Tram-Restaurant with the ATM number where you will be able to enjoy an exclusive dinner in a very unusual setting; and where class, sophistication and elegance will accompany you on your discovery tour of the enchanting Milan by night.

An Orient Express- style colonial atmosphere provides the background for a romantic dinner, a business meal or just an evening with a difference where you can taste particular dishes, some of which belonging to Milan tradition, prepared by internationally renowned chefs

A handy alternative to the Metro is the Tram system. They rattle through Milan and serve most tourist spots as well as the main stations. Tickets must be purchased before you board, at the tabacci stalls, and stamped with the date and time when you board, using the stamping machine on the tram. The ticket stamp machine is usually at the back of the tram. The ticket is then valid for 75 mins, and must be retained for inspection.
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New Milan-Trams are called "Eurotram", in services on line 14 to Lorenteggio headline (south-west) and in Orefici street in services on line 14 to "Cimitero Maggiore" headline (south-west).

Series 7001/7026 are building between 1999 and 2002 by AdTranz constructor raicars. Today are in services 20 units on line 14

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Milan also has one of the most extensive tramway systems in the world, with more than 286km of track and 20 lines, while the 93 bus lines cover over 1,070 km.

It is quite easy to use both the trams and busses in Milan and the direction and the next stops are mentioned on a board placed on the stop.

Some of the stops have also electronic boards offering information about the arrival of the following buss or tram, direction, etc.

Malpensa Shuttle Bus connects Malpensa International Airport, both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with the Central Station.

The shuttle bus is leaving every 20min and in the occasion of fairs, it stops also to Milan Fair.

The busses are all equipped with air conditioning and hi-fi system and it takes 50min from the airport to the station.

The tickets can be bought from the Airport 2000 and Travelex stands located in Terminal 1 or from the Central Station.

The departure from Terminal 1 is right in from of the exit and from the Central Station on the right side (looking at the station) near the parking place for taxis.

The ticket costs EUR 5- one way and EUR 9- two-ways.

I rode on Milan’s historic tourist tram towards the end of my visit to the city, as my feet were aching from all the walking I’d done and I wanted to sit down for a while! The tram ran along its route with an accompanying commentary on headphones, which was available in several languages. I enjoyed the journey but, in fact, I had already seen most of the places it went past and read quite a bit about them in the guide book, so although the commentary gave one or two interesting points that I hadn’t known, I wished that I had taken the tram tour at the beginning of my holiday, rather than at the end. I think it would have been a good way to become familiar with the layout of the city and how close together the different areas were and would also have helped me to plan what I wanted to visit.

I think the trip then cost about fifteen Euros but the price stated on the website now is twenty Euros. There is a map of the stops covered by the service on the website listed below.

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Buses are quiet efficient in Milan, the only thing is, since they are "Italian" buses, they are never punctual!! Milan's public transport is surprisingly good and pretty cheap compared to other major cities in Europe. You can buy a ticket for €1 (at a news stand or bar, not in a tram or bus!) that will take you as far as you can go within 75 minutes by metro, tram or bus.
Just be aware that when you change from tram or bus to metro you'll need a new ticket while when you change from metro to tram or bus you don't. If you have to travel every day you're better off buying a "carnet" (a booklet of 10 tickets) for €9.20, or a weekly or monthly pass.
Oh and ticket checks on busses and trams are rare, but when you get caught without a valid ticket it'll set you back €34 (€33 + the price of one ticket).

Milan's iconic trams can be spotted more or less everywhere. The city's traffic planners were smart enough not to do away with the tram tracks in the early 70s. In that period, the high cost of electricity and the fact that space on the streets seemed plentiful for the few cars that circulated at that time prompted almost every council, from Rome to Catania, to remove the tracks and get rid of trams.

Milan has proudly kept its trams, and they can be heard clonking in almost every corner. While the tracks are hazardous if you cycle (Milanese do!), trams are an invaluable and picturesque way to go around the city.

The standard fare is one euro for a single trip.

This is a nice way of travelling around Milan. It gives you an idea of the traffic scene as well since you're above the surface contrary to the metro.

The public transportation system in Milan is well developed and rapid. However I found it difficult to find ticket vending machines around. I took the tramway several times without paying since the driver could sell me a ticket or the stations had any vending machines. Luckily I didn't run into any trouble. Tickets are to be bought at Tabacchi's around the city.