A City That Builds Metros Like No Other | Milan Metro

In this Transit Explained episode, we talk about the Milan Metro, and the innovative construction methods that were used to build this relatively young metro system!
Special thanks to Aled RJ & Martino Bravin for providing help for this video!
As always, leave a comment down below if you have ideas for our future videos. Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won't miss my next video!
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#milan #metro #transit

[@sergiosutti4675]

Being an Italian living in the center of Milan since many generations, it’s really cool seeing foreigners admire our city for things we give for granted or uninteresting.

[@rahelbakir8520]

Man, i envy you. Milan is such an amazing city with beautifull architecture, history and culture, and it is a very liveable city with amazing food and great people. My dream is to live there for at least a couple of months, easily my favorite city. Too bad i can't get a Schengen visa to visit it.

[@sergiosutti4675]

@@rahelbakir8520 I agree with everything you said. It is one of the best places to live! That’s why I’m planning to keep living here for the rest of my life. Anyway, why can’t you get a schengen visa? Covid reasons?

[@rahelbakir8520]

@@sergiosutti4675 I live in iraq and we have one of the worst passports in the world. It's next to impossible to get a schengen visa.

[@randomwalk5095]

me too as Milanese i have just a question why linea 5 was made before linea 4????

[@ControCultura-]

@@rahelbakir8520 it is , really, but it is also too expensive. Real estate market is out of control

[@staycgirlsitsgoingdown2]

The tram system is also *amazing*, I took it when I was there a few months ago and there were trams coming along every 3-4 minutes and it was actually faster than driving for many trips

[@urbanfile3861]

@@kavorkaa he said tram system. Anyway, you can be amazed by something without meaning something other is not amazing. I really don't get your point

[@lik7953]

@@kavorkaa yes it is special. 17 lines of trams is larger than any tram system in Asia. Milan is 1/5 the size of cities like Bangkok, and yet has a large metro, 17 tram lines, and 12 suburban rail lines.

[@lik7953]

@@kavorkaa lmfao Bangkok metro has 2 lines. And you’re talking about how advanced it is. It has 3 times the population of Milan, yet it has 2 lines to Milan’s 24 tram metro and s-line lines

[@RMTransit]

I agree, it’s a solid system!

[@as14j]

@@kavorkaa As a Hongkonger, I'm not chauvinistic to think Asian metros/trams are amazing but European ones aren't. Don't you know that many representative metro/tram systems of Asia are originated from European systems? But Europe just keep putting forward innovative systems of metros/trams that even Asian cities are still learning from! I don't deny metros/trams of Asian cities aren't great but they're relatively new so the systems are relatively start-of-the-art and can learn from some shortcomings the early systems are. Therefore, if lines or systems are built nowadays in Europe, they must be on par with the appearance and quality of newer Asian metros/trams and even commuter trains. One of the great examples is Elizabeth Line in London

[@bryanCJC2105]

Something I really love about this system is how the trains and stations feature color accents that match the colors of the line. I think that really enhances the line's identity and provides a consistent visual cue. It's also a good component of branding, which I believe to be really important.

[@RMTransit]

Absolutely, love it!

[@luca7069]

The station signs, way finders and general design actually won a renoun architecture and design award shortly after the opening of the first two lines. As a Milan resident, I'm honestly shocked many times when I travel by how badly designed transit signs and clues can be.

[@gabri_maybe]

Infact,in milan,locals usually just refer the lines by their colour,not the name

[@ManoloMacchetta]

Agree! That is something that make thing much easier.

[@taccus3990]

@@gabri_maybe penso di non aver mai chiamato le linee del metro con la numerazione, ho sempre detto "prendi la verde/gialla/ecc." ahah

[@NoelBode]

I moved to Milan 5 years ago. I had been planning to buy a bike to get around, as that's what I'd been using in Minneapolis where I lived previously, but I didn't get around to it until about a month after I arrived in Milan-at which point I realized I had no need for a bike, since between the S lines, metro, trams, and buses it was a piece of cake to get anywhere in the city. Really top-notch video, very much enjoyed this perspective.

[@andreasperotto3153]

Milan is a fantastic city👍 What do you about Milan now that is 5 years you've been there?

[@mrfacques]

I lived there about 10 years ago. Aside from having able to easily get around on a bike, I remember that having your bike stolen was almost inevitable.

[@riccardo3384]

@@mrfacques I live here now, it's not that terrible. I never had my bike stolen and neither have almost everyone I know.

[@gabrielboi3465]

Off topic maybe, but why did you move to Milan in the first place? and how did you find it in comparison to the US?

[@santopino2546]

@@mrfacques the city is now full of bicycle lanes.

[@taccus3990]

I live near Milan (roughly 45 kms) and when I have to go there I almost always park the car at Cascina Gobba (an M2 stop with a huge parking exchange) and take the metro from there, as driving in Milan during the day can be a pain in the ass. Milan is one of the few cities where I truly enjoy public transport

[@jorehir]

Yeah, i love Milan's metro as much as i hate Milan's roads and lack of parking space.

[@federicomarchesini9256]

@@jorehir of course there has been a political choice behind that too... The idea is to have as less private cars as possible, and to make the city as pedestrian as possible.

[@sonnyborja6266]

I live 4 km south from the city center. It's true Milan has a very organized and modern transportation system.

[@emilianoturazzi]

@@federicomarchesini9256 a good choice in my opinion but still a work in progress wih an excessive amount of private traffic...

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

@@federicomarchesini9256 sadly it's been done back-asswards. The public transit doesn't connect peripheral areas to each other nearly enough, due to lobbying by center denizens. The whole thing ends very soon at night, especially the S lines and other local trains.

[@johannesjakob5041]

And last but not least, from Milano Centrale you can travel to Paris with Trenitalia's Frecciarossa 1000 and from Porta Garibaldi with the TGV. A very new(Dec 2021) connection; did used it myself and it is such a super adventure on rail. I can recommend it to everyone.

[@johannesjakob5041]

@@jandron94 good point man. But it's a very rocky way to go in the view of this tunnel. Same with the Brenner Tunnel. Will decrease the time of rail travel time enormously. But still a long time to wait, sadly.

[@user-ks6dd1cy5w]

I did it and the tgv broke down lol (still fun)

[@Blaze6108]

When (if?) they finish the incredibly controversial Turin-Lyon HSR the times will be just over 4 hours, too. If the Turin-Lyon was further upgraded to true high speed they could be reduced even further (but then freight trains would have to get creative with their scheduling).

[@urbanfile3861]

Yeah! I'm so happy you did Milan. I didn't see it coming 😁 I have to say I'm impressed about the accuracy, over all on some little details which are not usually known, such as the interconnection between M2 and M5 and the lack of depot for the latter Good job. As always, but this time I can say that with full knowledge of the facts 😊

[@RMTransit]

Thanks for watching! It’s a great system! I need to visit!

[@ilyapetoushkoff8362]

@@RMTransit you absolutely should plan for it, and keep in mind that several major cities (Venezia, Torino, Firenze) are extremely well-connected with Milan by the high-speed trains, i.e. it makes sense to plan a trip for two or three at one week-long take. Most of the world-class heritage is also in those cities, Milan is absolutely wonderful but definitely not as rich in terms of heritage!

[@RRRR-jr1gp]

@@RMTransit What you didn't bring up is the absolute insanity that is the Duomo station - if you time it right you'll come out of the tunnel literally right in front of the most beautiful church facade in Europe, completely flooded with sunlight.

[@angelopizzo2933]

Urbanfile toppp!!

[@playerscobongameplay]

@@RMTransit you must

[@spmchannel8362]

As someone from Hong Kong, with all the associated mass transit experience from home, I must say Milan’s system is the one I like best when I’m not in my home town. From the trains, underground system to the trams… Bravo.

[@matthewvp8507]

And both cities have lovely metros plus great historic trams! I love travelling in HK 😃

[@detlefmann7433]

The Milan subway- trains are very noisy.

[@joeconner7490]

long awated. most underrated metro in the world

[@user-nl9xh8iw4v]

great video! ive been to milan recently and used all of the lines of the metro with the exception of m3. i must say i love the Hitachi trains on the m5 line, they feel very modern. i also really like the fact that the stations are all decorated with the colors of the line they serve, it really helps and is quite eye pleasing

[@RMTransit]

I love the incorporation of line Colors too, it’s something I’d like to see in my hometown!

[@NoelBode]

It's a shame you missed the M3 then! It's definitely my favorite in terms of station and train design.

[@lucchese20]

Indeed. A basic and simply concept that somehow elude many. ☹️

[@SirMangoMantango]

Technically the Copenhagen metro is operated by Milan Metro aswell.

[@marcomontella6006]

To be more specific it's ATM - Azienda Trasporti Milanesi. Milan owned company which runs metro, trams, busses and other amenities. While local trains are run by Trenord

[@automation7295]

All the trains and the systems are Italian, but the Copenhagen Metro system is owned by Metroselskabet (The Metro Company), which is a Danish company.

[@marcomontella6006]

@@automation7295 the Danish company owns the infrastructure, but they contract out the service to ATM which runs it

[@SirMangoMantango]

@@automation7295 The Copenhagen metro is operated by MetroService, a joint-venture between Hitachi Rail and ATM. MetroSelskabet is the owner, not the operator.

[@zedtrek]

In the UK, one of the best train line service, C2C, it's actually run by Trenitalia. It's quite strange how, a country, famous for everything but surely not amazing train services, it's actually involved in transportation in other countries.

[@sams3015]

I visited Milan last autumn from Switzerland for a day trip and we actually seen a lot of the city thanks the metro

[@RMTransit]

I need to do that day trip 😂

[@eannamcnamara9338]

I can't wait for the metro to Monza. As a F1 fan and Monza being one of my favorite race tracks ever, being able to go there on the metro will be awesome

[@urbanfile3861]

Anyway the metro will be far from F1 track

[@gabri_maybe]

although you could easily reach Monza FS from Milano Centrale using RE80 and then a shuttle bus to the track

[@sciamachy9838]

Monza bettola… quasi in sogno (almost a dream)

[@francescobignamini4145]

@@urbanfile3861 in the proposed project there is a station, villa reale that is very close to the F1 track

[@calogerohuygens4430]

@@urbanfile3861 wrong, there are stations for Villa Reale and its park.

[@Gio_Panda]

I live in Milan, not even in the center, and like many others I don't own a car. Public transport is cheap and ridiculously efficient and fast. I've always given it for granted and never really knew most of what you said in this video, so thanks!

[@LucaPasini2]

I'm living in Rome and I get desperate every time I have to move to a different part of the city, because no matter if you choose to travel with the metro, buses, trams or a car: the trip will be unnecessarily long and really unpleasant anyway.

[@ChilternRailPhotography]

Went there only weeks ago the metro is fantastic and when you ride at the front of the m5 you can see how amazing and open the tunnels are. The tram system is also amazing with old and new trams!

[@andreafarina385]

I live in Italy and whenever I go to Milan I'm really amazed by its transit system. The metro lines are great and well connected to the train stations, the trams and buses have been designed to easily and quickly connect to major metro stations. Also the city is investing a lot in bike infrastructure. I really enjoy moving around Milan

[@valerioivanov7588]

Side note: Milan’s transit company (ATM) manages the Copenhagen metro as well

[@randomwalk5095]

fastidious thing is that for Copenhagen there was a bid for, here in Milan ATM have the control of the lines without any free market bid... and Milan City have the control over ATM, there are a lot of political risk, if we don't change this fact we'll risk to become like Rome now

[@NathanRixThroughGlass]

One of things that surprised me the most in Milan is that every time we had to drive, most of the route was along the construction for the ME metro, meaning once it opens, those are all convenient transit trips

[@mattiabelgio7854]

The Metro called as "La Metro" by the citizens of Milan Is the real backbone for the workers in the city. Everyone from simple worker to rich lawyers and people who work in the financial sector use It from the morning to the evening. You can spot any sort of Milanese on the Metro.

[@Cecilia-pv3yg]

true Milanese people call it "il Metrò" ;)

[@mattiabelgio7854]

@@Cecilia-pv3yg questo è un dibattito molto lungo. Forse anche a seconda dei quartieri la si chiama in modo diverso. Dalle mie parti l'hanno sempre chiamata al femminile.

[@manuelcaprile1379]

A Milano funziona così: su ferro è maschile su gomma è femminile. Chi non è di Milano lo riconosce subito quando per l'appunto "sbaglia" a chiamare una linea 😉

[@mattiabelgio7854]

@@manuelcaprile1379 e infatti mi sa che quel che hai scritto è in toto una giargianata.

[@manuelcaprile1379]

@@mattiabelgio7854 ma guardi che c'è un motivo... e un nato e cresciuto a MI di solito lo sa 😁

[@ilyapetoushkoff8362]

The most awkward part of the whole plan is the absence of an interchange between M3 and M4. There have been talks to eventually building a connecting corridor between Policlinico and Croccetta but I am not aware as to whether this is going to happen. The twists and turns of M5 are also incredibly hard to explain, it could have been a much straighter line. However, despite all that, the public transport system in Milan is extremely useful and allows moving around the city most freely.

[@captainufo4587]

M5 is wavy because it was supposed to me a tram line, following the road network above and connecting to existing tracks. Then they upgraded the whole thing to underground metro but the route was more or less established.

[@RMTransit]

To be fair, weaving around is often done to avoid foundations, underground structures and difficult ground conditions!

[@ilyapetoushkoff8362]

@@SigmaRho2922 Thanks for the clarification! It makes me a little sad that they decided to go for the farther one, although at least it would still correspond with the inbound passengers' desire line. It's still unbelievable that the interchange was not in the plan from the very beginning!

[@ilyapetoushkoff8362]

@@RMTransit I absolutely agree and I was thinking particularly about the Tre Torri station which could have been positioned in a way to straighten up the line, had doing so been on the agenda from the onset.

[@daisukiman]

There seems to be a storied history with the M5, which actually influenced the metro rail system in my city (SkyTrain in Vancouver, Canada), that I would say it explains its curvy alignment. I've been trying to find out more about it but what I know is that M5, or a variant of it, had originally been planned in the 1990s and was going to use the ICTS driverless metro system developed by Ontario's UTDC, the same one used by SkyTrain. ICTS was at the time marketed as more suitable for tight curve handling as a result of using linear motor propulsion. This line was cancelled by the Italian government mid-order, presumably as a result of the early 1990s recession. The workers at UTDC's plant in Ontario would have been laid off, had it not been an impending order for new SkyTrain cars for the 1990 Skybridge extension. There are rumours that these cars (known as the 500/600 series Mark I cars) used the shells of cars made for the Milan order, although this hasn't been conclusively proven. There are a number of reference points to this in Canadian newspaper articles written in the 1990s. The modern incarnation of M5 was likely subject to buy-domestic requirements as is common with government funding for transit lines, resulting in the selection of the AnsaldoBreda (now Hitachi Rail Italy) driverless metro, which by then had matured to become compatible with the curves in the alignment even with standard electric propulsion.

[@RcottR]

I liked visiting Milan. Nice clean city and easy to get around.

[@RcottR]

@D.M. for sure. Its been 4 years since I've been there but compared to Rome I thought it was clean.

[@randomwalk5095]

@D.M. are you from another dimension? look at Rome or Napoli, then we speak again (and Napoli even if dirty and crime affected is cleaner and safer than Rome)

[@randomwalk5095]

@@RcottR lol every city in the world look clean if you have Rome as paragon :-P

[@Lostazzol]

@Fabio Romano le micropolveri non le vedi e non ti fanno pensare alla sporcizia

[@lox_266]

Living near Milan (Monza) we never had a metro line and i am so excited to get one (in 2030). I appreciate the "finaly" on the m4 project that's now opening the first 3 stations with 15 months of delay. it would be nice talkin about suburban lines in milan and their huge problems, and i will be happy to help you out. And remember, in Milan the metro is not just called M1, M2, M3 and M5; you will hear more talking of La rossa, La Verde, La Gialla and La Lilla, respectively, m1, m2, m3, m4, m5. I'm glad you finally brought this video up after I asked you.

[@rubenmerletti7160]

Vogliamo le linee s ad almeno 15 minutiiiiiii

[@lox_266]

@@rubenmerletti7160 un sogno

[@sirdo946]

@@rubenmerletti7160 Tanto Trenord arriverà sempre e comunque in ritardo di 20 minuti. Vivo a Milano ma torno a Parma nei weekend e i servizi di ATM e Trenitalia sono tanto buoni quanto quelli di Trenord sono pessimi.

[@peterehrlich1186]

Hey Reece, have you considered doing a video on Milan's incredible tram network? In addition to using the oldest active trams in Europe (the 1928 Peter Witts, or Ventotto), it also operates the very unique Sirio and Sirietto low floor trams and refurbished Junbotrams from 1976. More importantly, the tramway network reaches every corner of the city, and has very frequent service. And it's incredibly well used. Peter Ehrlich (tramway historian and former San Francisco Muni motorman)

[@Lea-ij7os]

I live in Milan and I love the old trams (the ones from 1928 are so cute, the Jumbo are the most efficient imo), in the Sirietto you can only stand by the doors, because there's not enough space between the seats 😭 But I know that low floor trams are much more accessible for those who can't use stairs, so it's good to have them too

[@rubenvanvessem7221]

I’ve rarely taken M5, but M1, M2 and M3 all hold happy memories. I use the M1 the most, going to Porta Venezia (the nicest part of the city), but M3 will always be my favourite, the yellow ceilings still look fresh.

[@iionite]

a porta venezia ci si va solo per i drink a 4 euro in via lecco

[@Patrick-qf5mz]

@@iionite letteralmente quello che ho pensato 😂

[@fabiosemino2214]

Also the old yellow line trains has this electro magnetic brakes that avoid the screeching of the conventional ones

[@iionite]

@@fabiosemino2214 idk about that, the yellow line is by far the loudest (tho that's also because it's the fastest and the carts are not very soudproof)

[@TheDemez]

Also, Milan's metro featured for the first time the revolutionary signage designed by Bob Noorda which would later inspire the iconic New York Subway visual language

[@claudioferrara4455]

Very good and well informed video. However, speaking of building metros like no other city, I’m surprised you didn’t mention superposed tunnels. This technique was first experimented with in the late 70s-early 80s at the S. Agostino station along M2, where the two platforms lie on top of each other. Subsequently, it was used massively for line M3, where the two tracks lie in superposed tunnels all along the central section. This allowed to save space under the narrow street of the medieval centre, preventing the tunnels from running beneath buildings. A similar technique has been used for the central section of M4. As far as I’m aware, Milan was the first city in Europe to use such a technique.

[@RMTransit]

I don’t think stacking the tunnels is that unique, it’s been done in a lot of places in different systems!

[@fmefw9892]

@@familyguyshorts6283 Peter what happened to your braces?!

[@claudioferrara4455]

@@RMTransit Yes, but Milan was arguably the first in Europe.

[@aliflash0]

@@RMTransit I think they also that one station has two different storeys, one lower to go in one direction and another higher to ho the other direction

[@marcelwiszowaty1751]

@@claudioferrara4455 Presumably you're referring to *mainland* Europe because rhis was done for a section of the Central London Railway (now simply the Central Line) way back in 1900!

[@technojunkie123]

While Milan wasn’t my favorite city to visit as a tourist due to its fewer historic sites (compared to the rest of Italy) the city’s metro and great layout definitely made it my #1 spot if I ever wanted to live in Italy!

[@K20382]

Milan has a HUGE historical heritage, don't let the more modern and well-known side of the city hide it from you 😉

[@TheMteaIzLuv]

wait till you see the rents

[@EchtEenMilan]

I will visit Milan next week. Excited to take a trip on the metro and explore the city

[@jorgesoberanes2378]

This city is awesome in every way.

[@dr_cecenarro_medicinaestetica]

I love Milán ❤️❤️❤️ by far the best city in Italy

[@BigBrolls]

SHHHHHHHHHH don't let people from Rome and Naples hear you...

[@calvinchau7238]

I was in Milan last week wondering if RM would make a video about Milan’s metro system and here we are.

[@Sune_e]

My favorite metro system :D

[@francescoboselli6033]

3:00 another point of interest in the city which is worth mentioning is the Milano-Rho exposition center, which host some of the most important exposition in Europe, and near there is also the area where the Milan EXPO 2015 park was situated

[@user-qi1li4gn3s]

I live near Milan and I take the metro every day to get to school. It's very fun and interesting discovering things I didn't know about something I use every day. Anyway I have to say that as a train system it is very efficient, cause it cover quite all the city and trains pass on the station every 3-4 minutes. Good video, precise and interesting👍

[@federico83bg]

happy to see a video about Milan. Italy is slowly going through a revival of public transit with trams and BRT projects being built across the country.

[@pavlospb]

And Milan has also trolleybus circle around all the central area with dedicated flyovers to segregate trolleybuses from traffic

[@magnobelotti]

Amazing video, i love milan and it seems that nobody talks properly about it, it's good to see these things.

[@mercury2024]

IVE BEEN WAITING THANK YOU

[@RMTransit]

Hope you enjoyed 🎉!

[@vanaox3690]

Please a video about Brescia metro (the second smallest city worldwide to have a metro, with barely 200k people). It’s also building a tramway system.

[@roberths7282]

I live in Brescia and was literally just about to write the same thing!

[@AlessandroGenTLe]

I am from Varese province and actually I've discovered that Brescia has a metro system just like 2 months ago. And I'm 47... :D I had no clue about that before... Same for Genova, which has a line too.

[@vanaox3690]

@@roberths7282 I always found Brescia was very interesting because it has many things for a city of it’s size (skyscrapers, metro, new tramway).

[@fmefw9892]

Perugia be like: hold my MiniMetro

[@vanaox3690]

@@fmefw9892 wow I would never have expected perugia to have such thing even tho it’s far from being a metro, it’s still cool

[@edwardmiessner6502]

RM Transit: "Look at this amazing metro in Milan!" Me: *cries in American*

[@Hastdupech8509]

Don't worry, we Italians not from Milan cry too since urban and suburban transit situation is abysmal in Italy if you go past Milan. Afterall, there's a reason why the Italian car ownership rate is among the highest ones in Europe (I think it's even the highest if you exclude micronations and city states from the charts).

[@carmine90]

@@Hastdupech8509 che piagnisteo.

[@Valery0p5]

@@carmine90 non tutti abbiamo i soldi per un Expo a caso, Pulentun

[@trainsandmore2319]

*cries in Rome*

[@matthewvp8507]

A lot of my family live in Milan so I visit very often and can say that it’s a joy to travel around. The metro and trams are fast, frequent, and clean. The trams allow lovely views of the city and are a mixture of modern and historic cars. The fact the city isn’t overwhelmingly large makes it even better (London I’m looking at you!)

[@roballen3281]

thank you ! a very timely video on Milan, as we will be there in late Aug, train from Ravenna to Firenze to Pisa to Monterosso, Genoa, Pavia and Milan. Milan for several days then onto Swiss Rail for 7 days

[@RMTransit]

I'm so happy that things aligned like that!

[@LucaPasini2]

The railway from Faenza to Florence is really scenic, it's a non-electrified local line that winds across the Apennines with some beautiful views of Romagna and Tuscany. From Ravenna you could also visit my hometown Rimini, which besides being an important seaside resort, has some really important Roman monuments, as well as an important Renaissence church, and whose city centre has been recently renovated, making it really modern and enjoyable

[@roballen3281]

@@LucaPasini2 thanks Arya! so much to see so little time! Would love to visit Rimini too, I have just found an old school mate currently in Pavia too, so it's another visit added to the itinerary !

[@trnstn1]

Was just in Milan this past summer- very convenient and frequent. It helps that most of the core city is very walkable as well. One thing I will say is their ticketing system is one of the slowest I have ever encountered- so I guess it all balances out. In Milan, where they are able to build lines and stations right beside 800 year old cathedrals I don’t understand why we make it so difficult and slow to just tunnel through suburbia in and around Toronto, it’s purely human obstacles.

[@stefasaki97]

That’s because you’re not supposed to buy a ticket at the ticket machine, most shops/bars/kiosk around the city sell them and that’s the quickest way to get tickets. You might have noticed that ticket machines are almost exclusively used by tourists for that reason

[@roberto6698]

@@stefasaki97 Thumbs up for this comment, I live in Milan and I can't remember the last time I bought a ticket, as you can just pay for your ticket with contactless technology; Usually, if I don't have to drive, I don't even bother bringing my wallet with me as I can use my phone to pay for almost anything

[@viscontialice]

As @Stefano Trovato and @Roberto said, ticketing system is very advanced and convenient in Milan. Tourists should take information before arriving in a foreign city, they would avoid queueing kiosks and bars. It's been years now that you don't need a paper ticket. Both the ATM app and a contactless credit card allow you to take any transportation means.

[@carlfromtheoc1788]

Thank you for this. In early June of this year I visited Milan and rode all 4 lines and saw work on the M4 and found it super easy to use. I stayed in the Loreto area, so I could get the M1 or M2. Best of all, if you just need a single ticket, nearby newsstands/convenience store can sell you one. I covered a huge amount of ground by purchasing a 3-day all zone pass - paid for itself the first day. The only flaw is that the front of Garibaldi station is kind of grubby and dumpy when compared to the shiny new complexes around it. I came into Milan to Milano Centrale from Venice and left from there to go to Zurich. Note - San Siro has a big fan shop that has both AC Milan and Inter Milan stuff.

[@urbanfile3861]

The front of Garibaldi station is a shame. It's a car park and it's owned by RFI (Italian State Railways) and that's why this space remained untouched despite the nearby area was developping. Anyway there is a project to make a pedestrian nice designed area of it.

[@luca7069]

A couple of things from a Milan resident: The airports: Linate is very unique as a city airport being that is very old and with the M4 connection it will become the best linked and quickest access city airport in Europe. Also Malpensa is not a global hub for passenger, but it's a quite key hub for freight. Finally, Orio al Serio is quite a key airport because it's gigant airline Ryanair biggest base in continental Europe. M3 is very odd for a line, perahps resembling the Moscow metro, in being quite "monumental" with lots of marble and fancy architecture incorporated in the stations. This was actually quite controversial since the line was build for the 1990 football world cup (lots of delays) and was involved in the massive corruption scheme "Tangentopoli" which engulfed Italy in the early 90s. The line also features a somewhat insufficient lighting, resulting in sort of a weird gloomy and shady atmosphere in the stations. Also the trams are absolutely unique, there's tons of historic units still going strong in the fleet and various special cars such as a couple of Restaurant ones (yes you can book and have a high end dinner on a vintage tram touring the city) and various events/party ones, even one set up for school trips.

[@marcomontella6006]

I don't know if Linate connection will be the quickest in Europe for a city airport. Surely one of the quickest For istance London City airport is as far as Linate from city center. I'm wondering if DLR from Bank to City Airport will take longer than M4 from San Babila to Linate. Probably it will, but the distance is pretty the same. Then Berlin Tempelhof airport comes to my mind. Probably the most urban airport in Europe. It's currently closed (since 2008) but it was pretty easy to reach. From Mitte just 6 metro stops. Then, to stay in Italy, there is Napoli Capodichino airport. Closer than Linate to the city center. They're currently building metro line 1 extension (which will close the ring) with a station at the airport terminal. It will be just 4 stops from Napoli central railways station

[@thecommentaryking]

Just a bit to add to the M3 stations. To change line or to go to the exit you'll have to walk through a lot of corridors and climb a lot of stairs, which isn't a problem if the design of the stations wasn't similar to that of a labyrinth.

[@fradamilano]

I'm from Milan and this video is amazingly accurate. Well done!

[@frezzalata]

Outstanding job thank you. I’m from Milan and I actually learnt new things. Thank you

[@giacomofrova3704]

beautiful video, I would have talked about an interesting curiosity. The Milan metro won the Compasso d'Oro award in 1964 for its visual design. (Compasso d'oro is like one of the most prestigious design award). being Milan the capital of design, I would have mentioned it. Great video btw👍🏼👍🏼

[@zyoninkiro]

Nice to see Milano featured. I live in Torino and I am a regular visitor to Milano for various business reasons. I have ridden M1, M2 and M3 and rather like them. Having AC equipped walkthrough trains is nice and I hope it's something Torino thinks about when they get around to building the second line (currently Torino has one Metro line, M1 which uses the VAL system). I sometimes take the bus to Miliano and it's rather nice that the intercity bus terminal is located on M1. This is something Torino should think about as well.

[@alimoschini]

I really enjoy taking public transport in Milan! Besides some problems I think they are an excellent way of moving around. It's a blessing for someone who really doesn't wanna drive a car in the busy streets if Milan

[@thealitaliaa7714]

Yess finally, I’ve been waiting for this video for roughly a year, and the wait paid off.

[@RMTransit]

Thank you! So awesome to hear!

[@filipposoramel6976]

One limitation of the Milan metro is the fact that it does not remain open over night during the weekend, thus hindering movement from relative early hours (11pm, if I am not mistaken). Other major European cities do offer at least sporadic, yet useful night trains over the weekend, even when their size compared to the Milan metropolitan area would make it easier to walk or cycle home (I am thinking here about Vienna, where I reside).

[@matteoburchi6122]

The last train pass from 11 to 12:30 in most stations, after that the metro is closed and an alternative line of bus run on the surface but every 30 minutes or more replacing the metro. So, after midnight you can: use an active busline/tramline (not many), use the "sostitutiva" (the bus that replace the metro, it does the same stops of the metro), call a radiobus (a public bus that works like a taxi but only on its line, the ticket is the same) or use a private car sharing/scooter sharing/bike sharing/motorbike sharing system ( if I haven't drink I usually use the eletric motorbike for short-medium distances, cost a bit more than the public system but it's quite convenient), if all of the above fail there is the taxi but you better have money on your bank account in this case. yes the metro is more comfortable and fast, but there are many alternatives that come at handy.

[@lvididnothingwrong1958]

Trains stop at 00.30 and after that hour night buses (every 25 minutes) make the same trip as the metro

[@MrMaximino92]

@@matteoburchi6122 Milan has to get in line with the other European cities even with the night metro service if it wants to stay competitive, time to stop relying on buses on weekend nights.

[@SnapDash]

So glad you covered Milan; I've been hoping you would!

[@anianoenrique2115]

I just came back from Milan. The metro lines are easy to use, and cut travel time considerably. Cheap too, if you take a 3 day pass for only €12.

[@BigBrolls]

You think it's cheap? I hear people complaining about the price of one one-way ticket going up from 1€ to 1.50€ and then 2€ all the time. They're also going to raise it to 2.20€ soon.

[@anianoenrique2115]

@@BigBrolls Like I said : a 3 day pass for €12. Single tickets will always be the most expensive anywhere in the world.

[@ratchetheros]

Man I love this type of content about my city. Thank you from Milan!! 🤙🏾

[@alessiosolzi5790]

as a student living in milan this was a really nice video but you forgot to mention some little things, like the lambrate station, wich is rather large and also point of intersection between M2 and S-lines trains. You could also mention the plans for the "newer, not already built" M6 line that should be ready for the 2026 olympics

[@randomwalk5095]

and also il Birrificio di Lambrate!!!

[@alessiosolzi5790]

@@randomwalk5095 i study in the same street, i often stop by them ahahah

[@valerioivanov7588]

I’m so happy to talked about Milan cuz i live here and i love my city❤️ very well done❤️

[@manst8079]

Finally, I've been waiting for a long time for this video! You praise it's fast growing speed but unfortunately, past the current projects there won't be much growth. Talks about an M6 have been ongoing now for 15 years, with a possible feasibility study still a long way to go, and after that the current mayor has said that "Milan won't need any more lines". So we're lucky if we'll get a new line in the next 20 years and who knows after that.

[@urbanfile3861]

Finally M6 could become a real project, after all this talk. And I wouldn't be too worried about what the current mayor says, as he won't be in charge (he can't be, by law) after 2026. And I doubt they will seriously plan more lines to design, even if they think they have to in the future. Anyway the mayor said he rather focus on more extensions of current lines deep into Metropolitan City. That said, just with the u/c and planned extensions Milan metro network will reach 140 kms of total lenght. With M6 and other projects it will be even more extensive

[@manst8079]

@@urbanfile3861 Ma che piacere trovarvi pure qui! :D Anyway yeah maybe I'm a bit pessimistic and these long discussed projects will finally happen, but I wouldn't be really Italian without criticizing my own city/country :)

[@RMTransit]

Milan’s system is already fairly big - with upgrades to the older line as well as the S Trains and trams the system is quite extensive and also well balanced!

[@LuigiRosa]

Great video! I live 35 km south of Milan and I use Suburban train to go to Milan quite often with S13 suburban train. One nitpick: you saw that the M3 did a right turn at the south end? That because in the 90s it was supposed to go straight to Linate. When the project was revealed the taxi drivers rioted and was able to block the project.

[@dimitarmaznev9362]

FINALLY!! I was waiting for my hometown to be featured, cuz it’s great

[@marcodamasio]

To be fair the actual number of lines operating in the "Passante" is not 6, despite what maps says, but either 4 or 5, since lines S1, S5, S6, S13 always operates, line S2 only operates Monday to Friday and not after 21 or in August, line S12 was added before the pandemic with just 4 trains (1 train running back and forth twice) but was suspended with the pandemic and never resumed.

[@ntatenarin]

I remember loving hearing the pre-recorded announcer say the next stop in both Italian and English. The Italian accept is THAT beautiful! Or maybe I'm weird. 😛

[@jayxi5021]

Can't wait to hear about Zürich S-Bahn 👀.

[@RMTransit]

That’s a video I’m very excited for :))))

[@skaccomatto24]

Ah! I was wondering if you would dedicate a video to my homecity! Thoroughly well researched and informative video :) there is currently an ongoing discussion about M6 which should run north-west to south-east, although no plans have been firmed up yet and initially it might just be renaming and making automous the tiny south-west branch of M2. M2 itself was mostly famous during its construction for connecting most of the railway stations across Milan: in addition to Centrale, Porta Garibaldi and Cadorna, north-eastern Lambrate and south-western Porta Genova are linked.

[@urbanfile3861]

M6 route they want to build is actually autonomus. I made a video a couple of months ago on that matter. Anyway we will see the final route design after the verification study

[@RMTransit]

Thanks for watching! I’m jealous of Milan for its system!

[@lucaspublictransport995]

@@RMTransit M6 line is meant to follow the exact same S9 line route between Piazzale Corvetto and Tibaldi. S9 is currently running with uncertain train times. It was ment to be every 30' untill 22:30, which is bad, but it's solid and constant. No one knows when the line really operates. Every 30'? Every 60'? What's clear, is that frequency has become 60' on Sundays and there are no more trains after 21. But you know... Automated metros looks trendy so instead of doing a solid service on the existing railway, they're thinking about an automated metro (replacing the railway? Under the railway? Nobody knows) This city is ruled by trends, not Solid planning.

[@luca7069]

@@lucaspublictransport995 wasn't the separation of the Biseglie branch of M1 into the M6 also discussed, running it north from Pagano to kind of sort of Quarto Oggiaro? Isn't also S9 corridor getting a big boost with new stations and the rumoured "circle line"

[@lucaspublictransport995]

@@luca7069 No-one knows exactly Apparently, M6 should be a semi-circular route between Cascina Merlata/Rho Fiera and Rogoredo or something like that. That idea of replacing M1 with M6 on the Bisceglie branch should have been abandoned (Maybe? Who knows)

[@gavinlee7554]

Very interesting network, it really proves how a combination of different networks work together to allow trips of all different types. I would love to hear your take on Mi Teleferico, where instead of supplementing, gondolas form the backbone of the transit network.

[@n0cturne.k35]

Great video, I love Milan because you can move around easily with trains,metros and Trams, the sistem is very efficient,but a substancial problem is the schedule. After Midnight there is rarely a Transport and some like trains or metros are closed, so if you want to have fun at night you can't count on the Transports to take you back home. That was not a Problem that I had in Bilbao,a city in Spain that during some periods of time (I Remember during Summer) continues with metros even after Midnight. It would be nice if you explained also that city

[@MrMaximino92]

the metro in Milan closes at 00:30, like in London and Barcelona, except that in those two cities the metro runs Fri and Sat nights 24h in LDN and Sat night 24h in BCN. In milan there are night buses and buses that replace the metro lines and stop at the same stations.

[@arikenita]

There are few more things worth to mention: - ATM is managing the subways, bus and tram and I'm very proud of their care and work. The S line is managed by Trenord and most of the users complain about their poor service. - M1 train powering system is allowing the trains to have a very high frequency. Sometimes the next train is just waiting few meters behind the one stopped in the station. - M1 and M2 are interconnected and M1 trains can travel on the M2 line (for maintenance reasons and at lower speed) using a small pantograph. M1 trains are taking the power from the tracks and M2 from the wires on the top. - The Leonardo trains are having an emergency brake system that is able to stop the trains automatically if there are obstacles on the track. This system malfunctioned some time ago and the trains were suddenly stopping without reason. For this reason is better to hold tight to the rails while traveling on the train. :D - Each bus/tram/trolleybus is equipped with an onboard computer which is able to keep track of the position, send distress calls just pressing a button or simply handle the driver turnover. This system is communicating using a digital cellular like radio network. - The technique to build the tunnels has been used later to build skyscrapers around the world. The S lines, at this time (August 2022), are not working, almost all the trains are out service because the tracks are damaging the train wheels (at least this is the explanation Trenord is giving to the users). The service is expected to be resumed later this year.

[@ilcavicchioli]

I noticed that you left out a few details about the metro's expansion. Some are still in the early stages but others are already being built or are about to be Line 2 has one confirmed project, being a 10 km Northeast extension from Cologno Nord to Vimercate serving the Milanese Hinterland. If all goes to plan it should be open by 2028. Moreover, a couple more extension projects are being analyzed but they're in the very early stages (Gessate to Trezzo and Assago Forum to Binasco). Line 3 is set to get a 15 km extension from its Southeastern terminus of San Donato (also a bus station) to Paullo. Construction is set to begin in a year from now. Like part of Line 2, some of this extension could run above ground. Line 4 is a curious case. Like you said, it will partially open in a month from now, and the whole line will be fully operational in the second half of 2024. And despite not being open yet, extensions are being planned, with a proposed 2,5 km route from Linate airport to Segrate in the Northeast. The line will connect an amusement park (Idroscalo) and the train station in Segrate. For the latter there are proposals to build/expand the train station to accommodate high-speed trains (like Reggio Emilia's high-speed station) given that the future high-speed line between Milan and Venice will pass through this area. Line 5 has another extension in the works but it's in a very early stage. The proposal is to extend from its western terminus in San Siro and go all the way to Settimo Milanese, and in a second phase to Magenta. This would add an extra 19 km to the line. Here's a bonus: for years a Line 6 has been proposed, but the itinerary has been subject to changes and nothing has ever moved until a few months ago. The first proposed routes would have connected the Northwest of Milan with the Southeast and running through the city center, creating interchanges in lines 1, 2 and 3 along the way. However, in April this year a feasibility study for the line was announced but for a different route (going from Ponte Lambro in the Southeast to Barona in the Southwest). If the line ever gets built, Milan would have completed a sort of circle line (of both metro and suburban rail). And according to Milan's mayor, Beppe Sala, this would be last metro line for the city.

[@marcomontella6006]

Actually it is not exactly as you said. M2 to Vimercate was considered too expensive, so the project is to extend the line of just one stop further North to Brugherio, while to Vimercate they decided to build a tramway starting from Cologno. Same for M3 to Paullo, considered too expensive as well. The project is to build the terminus at Peschiera Borromeo, and to reach Paullo they're thinking to build another tram line. About M5 to Magenta. There is not the official evaluation, but a no is very likely. Magenta is already served by railway with S lines, while Paullo and Vimercate are not I forecast that the extension will be considered as far as Bareggio, at best. But no further.

[@Adam-tt7kx]

@@marcomontella6006 è da quando ho 10 anni che parlano di fare la metro fino a paullo, non succederà mai ahahahah il tram sarebbe già una gran cosa.

[@chromebomb]

i wanna go to Italy and ride every type of train

[@iansanchez966]

The extension to Linate will be opening next month! Too bad it wasn’t ready when I flew into there in 2019. I love those driverless trains! I was staying near the San Siro, that Tre Torri mall area is very cool as well

[@gabrielebursi5509]

Great video Reece! Sadly at the moment Milan and Lumbardy are facing serious issues with trains, despite regional trains in Italy flourishing again the region that needs them the most - Lumbardy - is just struggling. They did a local rail company, Trenord, which simply sucks, probably because it has just been riddled with incompetent politicians from the area. The result is that rail commutes are going down and car commutes are going up, in a region already struggling with traffic and pollution. They also don’t let sales and offers from Trenitalia on Trenord trains, actually cutting in half northern Italy regional transport.

[@AlessandroGenTLe]

Yeah, I know something about that. The cut-off of the underground S lines from end of July to end of August is a massime PITA for those (like me) that need to use it to go to work. Luckily they found the reason and fixed that (typical italian story: nobody was maintaining the greaser that helps the trains on the sharp bent between Dateo and Pt. Vittoria, train were passing there with no grease on the tracks and train wheels were abnormally wearing themselves out...). Let's hope by september they'll have all back in shape.

[@lukepea774]

the busses in the monza and brianza province all suck

[@mariadiallo5786]

As someone who lives just in the outskirts of Milan since birth, I can confirm that many trains from Trenord are old and outdated. They did implement some new trains, but, in my opinion, most old trains should just be revamped or replaced

[@TheCinaedus]

I’ve spent a significant part of my life inside the Milan metro

[@marsaeolus9248]

A fantastic city!

[@gabriele8750]

I live outside of Milan, near Como, in a little village outside everything, but still we have a little station that helps us to connect almost everywhere from como to Milan. I love it

[@floreanchannel]

I live in Milan now. One thing you did not mentioned is the fantastic troleybus lines which makes travelling in the city even more convenient. Nowadays I see more and more of the electric busses and hydrogen ones, and on top of that you have something called bus taxi (I have no idea how it works, but apparently you can call them and they will provide a service when needed). Only one thing which is missing in Milan is the bike infrastructure. The city is rather flat, and gave gigantic roads, which would be perfect to convert into the bike lines.

[@urbanfile3861]

About the busses. Within 2030 the whole Milan's busses fleet will be full electric. Bus taxi is a service you can use during night time. If you call they pick you at a specific 'stop' (they are marked with a tiny hexagonal sign, generally on a lampost) and bring you home (yes, the adress you provide the driver). Obviously they do predetermined routes and pick up all the passengers who in the way. One very importan thing is that the service is organized in different zones, then you have to check the zone service in advance because you can't go out of that zone (it would be impossible. It will be a true taxi cab service)

[@justanormalyoutubeuser3868]

I live near Milan and while I have only used the subway a couple of times I had a wonderful impression. Trains are well kept and so frequent you don't have to look at a schedule, the only flaw is that at rush hour trains are so full you may miss them for lack of room. I think they need more service at that time of the day.

[@GabeLily]

As a Milanese, the thing I'm most proud of in Milano is the metro

[@randomwalk5095]

Ok the Metro is cool but if Prefer la Scala, l'Ultima Cena di Leonardo and the Pietà of MichelAngelo...

[@GabeLily]

@@randomwalk5095 they're ok too ig

[@unknownzzz5115]

Esselunga as well... even if the last years it is getting a bit worse.

[@randomwalk5095]

@@unknownzzz5115 yeah me too I love Esselunga, did you know that one of the main sponsor of the Metro 4 was the past away president of Esselunga Bernardo Caprotti, Esselunga work well atm is the top seller in the world for square meter, but isn't cheap

[@antoniovitellaro]

Thank you for this amazing video, i have been hoping you would have covered Milan for so long. The timing it came out is quite funny tough, as the s-lines tunnel has been closed for over a month now due to excessive wear on wheels caused by a portion of track

[@gabrielstravels]

Please make a video about the Naples Metro one day. It's my favourite metro system in the whole of Italy with beautiful stations (Toledo won the award for being the best in Europe!), it's also being expanded (albeit slowly) with an extension to the airport, and a new fully automated line too!

[@iinvisible]

The line 4 Is officially open! 🎉🎉

[@dimmacommunication]

As an Italian I'm happy that AT LEAST the metro works really well, for sure better than London's.

[@bacicinvatteneaca]

Porta Venezia is the name of the area above the station: the old doors of the city, named after the direction they were going towards, in this case, Venice. Porta Garibaldi and Porta Genova are just railway stations, that have been, in modern times, called according to the ancient tradition. Though obviously Garibaldi isn't a place.

[@azan-183]

I was in Milan when this video came out, how convenient!

[@jjjlucky]

I am from milan and i didnt know we were getting a new line and all those expansions!!! Hahahahah great video, super accurate too!

[@TheMetalFreshTiger]

M2 also connects another major train station for the city, which is Milano Porta Genova, from there there are trains connecting the west and south west part of the region

[@acarlux]

Finally!!! Thank you!

[@anindrapratama]

i love how Italian metro trains look, do they share the same standard? (Rome, Milan, Naples)

[@urbanfile3861]

Depending on the lines, but yes

[@FloatingWeeds2]

Been in Milan for 3 weeks. Aside from the spotty air conditioning it's pretty good. From borderline suburban Brenta to your regional train at Milano Centrale in 15 minutes. Easy

[@allisonburgers7177]

Thank you for sharing my beautiful city

[@Adrenaline_chaser]

Linate airport got connected to the metro system through the new M4 metro very recently 😁

[@lehnrik]

I used it just a couple a weeks ago from san babila to Linate, super convenient!

[@soficrece6401]

In October 2024, to San Cristoforo

[@GIRLANDLAKAIFORLIFE]

you forgot to mention the most amazing feature, all the strikes that happen every week making it difficult for people to use this metro system

[@hexgraphica]

You've got to listen how the old mm3 sounds, it's a song from heaven

[@panem9688]

What a great video thanks!

[@federicoantonietti7851]

What's impressive is that all of this was built under a city full of archeological finds even going back to the Roman empire. This is why M4 was blocked and we "skipped" a number and built M5

[@lukepea774]

I am a Milanese student and I go to school in Comasina, where M3 starts. Metro here is cool becouse it's all connected, i can go to Duomo square in 20 minutes from Comasina just by taking a Metro ticket.

[@skipper1971albe]

M2, also known as green line, connects all major train stations, non only Centrale Garibaldi and Cadorna but also Lambrate and Porta Genova You might be wondering why we have M1, 2, 3 and 5 but not the M4. M4 was delayed so the M5 was completed before the M4 construction even started, it is now almost ready to start operations in the first part, will connect Linate airport to the city.

[@urbanfile3861]

To be more specific, M4 was a previous project, but M5 (in its first proposition which was merely from Garibaldi to Bignami) was a more feasable project and got easily the money to be built. Consequently even the second stretch from Garibaldi to San Siro was easier to finance. M4 as a whole was a more complex and expensive project and that's the reason why M5 was built before. Maybe (and I say 'maybe') for M6 they're thinking to do as they did with M5, and for this reason they recently showed a route which is clearly half of the line, if not less. The shorter the line, the easier to find the money, the faster to start the constuction. Just as it happened with M5

[@Alby_Torino]

LIne 4 connecting Linate Airport was already opened (6 stations right now and more 2 coming next June)

[@toyotaprius79]

Do a video on Dublin . Literally a city like no other when it comes to transportation

[@ch9933]

Is this ironic?

[@matthewhernandez8342]

Does Dublin have a bigger subway line than Glasgow?

[@RMTransit]

Not necessarily in a good way , I’ll cover Dublin eventually :)

[@nicolasblume1046]

Milans Transport System is quite similar to Vienna I would say (Metro, Trams, S-Bahn)

[@marcomontella6006]

As a matter of fact Milan was under Austro Hungarian Empire till mid 19th century 😁 First railways were built when it still was a province of the Empire. That said I do not think there is a direct historic influence even if there are similarities. S lines are clearly inspired by German ones, though. But it's something dating back to 20 years ago. Even while they were building the tunnel of the 'passante' they hadn't clear how to design the service. Now other cities in Italy are trying to adopt similar systems for their local trains. Unlike Germany or Austria they're not using a standard method and a standard signage (Milan one wants to recall German S bahns), but that's a service improvement for them, anyway.

[@Pheffo]

Fantastic video as usual. Could Turin be the next city?