Stazione Termini now restricts access to all train platforms: ticket holders only. This may not be news to some, but worth mentioning for those who do not know. It's working well from what we have experienced. I worried as this program was implemented that it would impede movement and make the Termini experience even worse. So far I think people actually move better and more orderly as is an absence of non-passengers on the platforms. No longer does one have "helpers" on the platform or panhandlers working through the train before departure. Very nice!
Today we took a rare regionale for a local trip and were surprised we did not have to validate our tickets. As we passed through the security checkpoint the agent looked at our tickets then used a wand across the validation area that imprinted the date and time we entered, validating the ticket. Very efficient and no chance of forgetting to validate. So if this happens, do not be surprised, it is legitimate.