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Rome/Florence Regionale Train Improvements

Posted by (Los Angeles) on

I have often sung the praises of taking the "regionale" ("R") train between Rome and Florence, as a means of saving lots of money compared to the faster but much more expensive AV trains, but also to better enjoy the pretty scenery at a slower speed.

Last month, I had the opportunity to take this train several times along this route, and am happy to report several new improvements:

The regionale train between Rome and Florence, which runs every two hours and makes 16 intermediate stops, now has NEW RAILCARS which are a significant improvement over the older cars which I've described in previous postings. The new railcars (which are radically overhauled cars from surplus Intercity (IC) cars in good condition), have been configured in an innovative and intelligent layout which combines the features of both the fast AV trains and the traditional IC trains.

Each railcar has a combination of separate glass-enclosed compartments with sliding glass doors (as on the traditional IC trains), together with open-compartment seats (as on the AV trains). The closed compartments are at both ends of each railcar (two on one end and three on the other end). Each compartment seats six, three across, facing each other. Passengers travelling together can have more private conversations by choosing to sit in one of these compartments. By contrast, the open-compartment seats, which are in the center of each railcar, either face each other or face in the same direction. They are four-across in second class and three-across in first class. There are 50 such seats in each second class railcar and 28 seats in each first class railcar. That makes for a total of 80 seats in each second class, and 58 seats in each first class, railcar.

Each regionale convoy between Rome and Florence has six second class and two first class, railcars. That makes the total seating capacity 480 in second class and 116 in first class.

Posted by
425 posts

The seats, in both first and second class, are very firm, contoured, and entirely upholstered in cloth, with no vinyl or hard rubber as on second class seats on other regionale railcars. First class seats pivot forward (by pushing the seat bottom forward) to provide a modest recline, but second class seats are fixed and do not recline at all. Second class can consequently be slightly uncomfortable for a four-hour ride. The seats in first class are slightly wider (more hip and shoulder room), and there is more leg room as well because there are fewer seat rows in first class. Only first class seats have folding tray tables.

There are electrical outlets incorporated into the bottom of the trash recepticles at each seat row (both first and second class), which is handy for using laptop computers, DVD/CD players, cellphones and other electrical equipment.

The overhead racks are HUGE, accommodating just about any type of luggage except big trunks. There is also space to wedge medium-sized suitcases between the seat rows which face each other (in the center of each railcar). This is useful for passengers who have difficulty lifting luggage over their heads. There are no luggage racks at the railcar ends (as on AV trains).

Each railcar has a washroom. There is no food or beverage service on any of these trains. You may bring your own food and beverages. All railcars have heating and air conditioning. All railcars are non-smoking. The windows are HUGE, twice the size of the windows on the faster AV trains. This is really great to enjoy the pretty scenery along the route. There are roll-down shades to filter sunlight.

Posted by
425 posts

The regionale train travels along the original rail line between Rome and Florence (the non-stop AV trains take the different high-speed line). Of the 16 intermediate stops, several are worthy of note: Orte (train connections to Narni, Spoleto and Foligno), Attigliano/Bomarzo (Viterbo Porta Fiorentina by train), Orvieto (Bolsena by ATC Terni bus), Chiusi Scalo (Chianciano Terme and Montepulciano by hourly LFI bus), Camucia-Cortona (LFI bus up the hill to Cortona), Castiglion Fiorentino, and Arezzo. You are even allowed to hop off and on these regionale trains, as long as you do so within the six-hour validity of the ticket. YOU MUCH PUNCH THE TICKET BEFORE BOARDING THE TRAIN. The ticket will expire six hours after punching it. You can only punch it once, upon boarding the first train.

FARES: 16.10 Euros in second and 24.65 Euros in first class.

OPINION:

  1. SIGNIFICANT improvement in comfort and quietness compared to the older railcars. The new railcars are now NEARLY as smooth and quiet as those of the AV trains.
  2. First class is worthwhile for trips over three hours (Rome/Florence takes four hours), even though the fare differential is 50%.
  3. Better opportunity to enjoy the countryside compared to the ultra-fast (and much more expensive) AV trains. The picture windows are huge and delightful.
  4. All seats are UNRESERVED, so there's no reason to buy tickets in advance. If you board at origination (Roma Termini or Firenze SMN), you'll have plenty of seat selection. Even if you board at an intermediate station (such as Orvieto, Chiusi Scalo or Arezzo), odds are that you'll find empty seats.
  5. Train takes the same amount of time as before, so you're trading speed for much lower cost (16.10 versus 44 Euros in second class).
  6. Washrooms are still marred by graffiti and vandalism (I'd cut off the fingers of offenders, but that is not socially acceptable in "civilized" countries).
Posted by
425 posts
  1. The regionale train is the only option if going to places like Camucia-Cortona or Attigliano-Bomarzo. Most AV trains also don't stop between Rome and Florence.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are also several intercity (IC) trains between Rome and Florence, but most DO NOT STOP AT Firenze SMN Station, but rather at Firenze Rifredi, where you must connect to a regionale train to reach SMN. I verified with a ticket agent on the train that you do NOT need to purchase a separate ticket between Rifredi and SMN when making this connection. Therefore, the faster service on the IC train (compared to the regionale) is offset by the need to connect trains. Consequently, I recommend taking the regionale train rather than the IC, to avoid the hassle of the connection at Firenze Rifredi (unless you take the very early morning or the evening IC train which originates or ends at SMN). If you're in a hurry, simply take one of the super-fast AV trains.

FINAL OBSERVATION: Do NOT take the regionale train between Rome and Florence if you're in a hurry. It takes FOUR HOURS compared to 95 minutes on the AV train.

Posted by
2301 posts

Thanks very much for your post. We're headed to Montepulciano (Chiusi) later this year and will make good use of the information.

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