Rome Metro Line C from Parco di Centocelle to San Giovanni

Rome Metro Line C is the most modern rapid transit system in Rome, having opened only on 9 November 2014, as compared with the long history of other railways in and around Rome. A part of the Rome Metro Line C alignment, especially for the elevated segment, replaces the Roma-Giardinetti Railway and Roma-Fiuggi-Alatri-Frosinone Railway train service.

Construction into central Rome has been slow as every time there is some progress, a new archaeological find causes disruption to works while the discovery is made, and plans for the Rome Metro Line C may change or be delayed. The short 400 meter extension to San Giovanni to interchange with Line A was only completed in May 2018, and the further 2-station 2.1km extension to Colosseo is only projected to be completed in 2024. A further 1-station 800 meter extension to Venezia is projected to be completed in 2033.

At least with the proper-ish connection at San Giovanni now, Rome Metro Line C is now connected properly to the rest of the Rome Metro network, and makes interchanging a little bit easier.

*As photography of trains in Rome using a camera are not really welcomed by the operators and staff, picture quality and quantity are degraded in this article.

Parco di Centocelle Metro Station

The façade of Parco di Centocelle Metro Station.

Heading through the ticket gates. On first impression, the system is on par with the rest of the world now with clean interiors, all gates functioning well and looking new, bright lighting, and with universally-accessible facilities such as wider fare gates and tactile flooring.

Trains for San Giovanni depart from Track 2.

The underground platforms at are fully air-conditioned with platform screen doors, providing grateful coolness in the heat.

Frequency isn’t great at 15 minutes per train, but my wait was thankfully not too long.

Rome Metro Line C AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro

The interior of the AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro (now Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro) used on the Rome Metro Line C.

Only longitudinal bench seats are available on board.

Being a driverless metro, there is a view out of the front of the train as well.

The route map of Rome Metro Line C is available above the train doors.

The extension to San Giovanni is still reflected by an additional sticker on the linear route map, with space further on the left for more extensions.

San Giovanni Metro Station (Line C)

San Giovanni Metro Station is the current central Rome terminus of the Rome Metro Line C, offering an unpaid link to Rome Metro Line A.

The art in San Giovanni Metro Station depicts the history of the site.

Some artefacts recovered during the construction of San Giovanni Metro Station are displayed in a mini museum in the station.

Continuing up the escalator and following the timeline growing up to the present day.

San Giovanni Metro Station Line C-Line A Transfer

The transfer between Rome Metro Line C and Rome Metro Line A is an unpaid link. However, single tickets will be valid for onward travel to the next line, as long as it is within the valid time. For unlimited travel ticket holders like me, this doesn’t matter much.

More artefacts are on display at the unpaid link between Rome Metro Line C and Rome Metro Line A at San Giovanni Metro Station.

What looks like a simple metro station has an extensive history.

Rome Metro Line A is just ahead. This also leads to the exit for Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, or Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the seat of the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

San Giovanni Metro Station (Line A)

Heading through the fare gates of San Giovanni Metro Station (Line A).

Heading down the escalator.

Back to the realities of the Rome Metro.

From here, I continued my journey onwards by Rome Metro Line A.