World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Bologna’s efficient bus system, run by the ATC – Trasporti Pubblici Bologna (tel: (051) 290 290; fax: (051) 290 291; website: www.atc.bo.it), has information booths in the train and coach stations and on Via Marconi. Bus maps are also available from the tourist office (see Sightseeing). On average, routes run daily between 0630 and 2300. Tickets cost ¬0.90 and allow the traveller to change buses or make a return journey within the hour. As it is with the trains (see Getting There By Rail), travellers must validate their bus tickets by punching them in the machine upon boarding the bus.

Better value is the ¬6.20 Citypass, which permits eight journeys (each punch covers the holder for one hour), or the Day Ticket, which costs ¬2.50 and is valid for 24 hours from the time of validation. A monthly pass costs ¬31. Tickets and passes can be purchased at tabacchi, bars, newspaper kiosks and tourist information offices.

Information on all ATC services is available from the ATC Call Centre (tel: (051) 290 290) daily 0700-2000.

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street but rarely stop. It is better for tourists to hire them at taxi ranks (Piazza Maggiore and the train station) or to telephone the city’s taxi co-operative, Co.Ta.Bo (tel: (051) 372 727), or C.A.T. (tel: (051) 534 141).

Taxis in Bologna are expensive, with supplements for luggage and for travelling late at night (2200-0700) or on Sunday. If booking by telephone, passengers will be charged for the trip to the pick-up point. The minimum tariff is ¬3, with a charge of ¬0.80 per kilometre within the city. A taxi from the airport costs approximately ¬15-18. Taxi fares are calculated to include taxes and service – further tipping therefore is at the customer’s discretion.

Limousines
Luxury cars chauffeured by English-speaking drivers are provided by Essediesse, Via Jacopo della Lana 8 (tel: (051) 393 966; fax (051 429 1319; website: www.essediesse.com), and Linea Blu, Via Corazza 3 (tel: (051) 324 040; fax (051) 320 802; website: www.lineabluauto.it). The hire of a Mercedes 200 costs ¬20 per hour, with a 20% supplement after 2000.

Driving in the City
There is no real need for a car in Bologna’s compact city centre (centro storico) and parking can be tricky. The area is also closed to private cars 0700-2000 daily, including Sunday and public holidays. A special ticket, costing ¬4 per day, is available to guests staying in city hotels. This is obtainable from hotel management and allows the holder to park in the city centre from 0800-2400 on weekdays and holidays or in the area immediately around the city centre from 0800-1800 weekdays. It also allows for free transport on buses, valid for 24 hours and for one person. The hotel validates these tickets with a stamp stating date and time. To reach the city centre, drivers should follow the centro sign off the ring road (tangenziale), which links Bologna to the motorway. Full details of the city’s park and ride scheme, which operates at 11 major car parks outside the restricted area, is available from ATC (tel: (051) 290 290; website: www.atc.bo.it).

Parking in Bologna is currently in the midst of a major overhaul, with plans to use an Athens-style system, where cars with certain number plates are allowed in on alternate dates, although how this will affect tourists with their own or hired vehicles remains unclear.

Car Hire
Most major car hire companies have offices in the city, including Avis, Via Pietramellara 27d (tel: (051) 255 024; website: www.avis.com), and Hertz, Via G Amendola 16 (tel: (051) 254 830; website: www.hertz.com), as well at the airport. Drivers must be 23 and 25 years old respectively and carry either a valid EU licence or an International Driving Permit. Car hire in Bologna is expensive, costing an average of ¬200-320 per week. Basic insurance is included in the price of car hire, although extra cover can be purchased in order to avoid any excess charges in the case of an accident.

Bicycle & Scooter Hire
Bicycles and scooters are available for hire from Senzauto, at the train station in Piazza Medaglie d’Oro (tel: (051) 251 401; website: www.senzauto.com). Visitors should ask for ‘Noleggi Biciclette’ (bicycle hire). Prices start at ¬9 for 24 hours and ¬25 per 24 hours for scooters.