Today in Transportation History – April 3, 2003: Messina Opens a New Transit System

In Italy, a new light rail system opened in the city of Messina on the island of Sicily. The 4.8-mile-long Tranvia di Messina, which replaced a bus line, made its debut more than a half-century after the last tramway network serving one of Sicily’s largest cities had ceased operations.

With a rolling stock of 15 trams, Tranvia di Messina serves a total of 18 stations. The system also provides an important link between the Port of Messina (one of the largest ports for cruise ships in the Mediterranean) and the city’s central railway station (a major station in the region).