OK, so do you use a Roma pass like you would a regular subway card - just pop it in the metro turnstile every time you use it? That's the same thing as validating it, isn't it? What about buses? Do you validate your Roma pass every time you get on the bus, in those little yellow boxes? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'll be a first-time visitor to Rome, and I want to make sure I don't get fined! :)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
The Roma Pass consists of 2 separate cards, one for admissions, one for transit. Make sure you use the transit one! For the metro, you pop the transit pass into the reader in the turnstile and pass through. It pops up on the other side. Be sure to pick it up before moving on! For the bus, if I remember correctly, once you've validated it the first time on either the bus or the metro, it prints the date of first use on the back of the pass and you shouldn't need to validate it thereafter.
Posted by
Pa and Italy
4152 posts
The romapass has changed just a bit and is not longer two separate cards. It is an all in one card. It is started the first time you use it be it on the bus, metro or at a site. For the metro or bus you slide it in the machine to validate it and to scan it. For sites you slide it into the machine or give it to the cashier to have them scan it. They will determine if the site is free or if there is a fee. Donna
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The most important thing to remember about the Roma Pass (as with other similar passes in Italy), is that they expire at midnight, regardless of what time of day you activated them. Let's say you bought a three day pass and activated it on Tuesday at 8 pm. That sucker is going to expire at midnight on Thursday! Just keep that in mind. Have a great time.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
With the new Roma Pass card you do not "slide" it into the metro or bus machines. What you do it hold the card over the "button" on the bus or at the metro. The card is too THICK to go into the slots. At the metro, once activiated, the "gates" will open and in you go! On the bus, you hold the card over the button until the green light blinks and you hear the validation machine "churn." Once you have "validated" a pass, you will not have to validate on the buses again - but you will have to hold it over the "button" to enter the metro each time. For more info, see these links **** http://tinyurl.com/romapass-tips ***** http://tinyurl.com/rome-metro *****
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
It sounds like you would use it the way you would use an Oyster Card in London. There must be a chip in the card that is automatically read.