Bologna S. Vitale

Very nice the only problem is the maintenance

The station is located at the confluence of the historic lines Bologna-Rimini and Bologna-Florence (Direttissima). It is a modern infrastructure (activated in September 2014) of the Metropolitan Railway Service of Bologna (SFM), technically advanced with four tracks, lifts, shelters, cycle-pedestrian underpasses, but it would be even more convenient if it had automatic ticket machines (or Can't I see them?) and the Selfbar machines, which is why my humble judgment stops at four stars (in addition to the fact that there is still no unified TPER-TrenItalia ticket). The tracks to go to the Bologna Central Station are 2 and 4 (ie the even tracks and consequently the even numbered trains, ie south-north and east-west). It also offers some panoramic ideas, being on a double level and with a wide curve crossed by rolling stock of all kinds. Looking inwards (ie between tracks 2 and 3) you can see the so-called "Pozzo Rimesse", several meters deep (about 25/30), with a helical-shaped driveway, technical access to the Bologna High Speed ​​Underground Passage , the underground link of the AV / AC Line for the transit of High Speed ​​trains that originates in Bologna Prati di Caprara (Milan side) and ends in Bologna San Ruffillo (Florence side) and on which the Bologna AV Underground Central Station is located. A little upstream on the Florence side and a little to the east on the Rimini side there is also the double origin in the branch of the Bologna Belt Line, used for the routing of freight convoys in order to avoid the passage from the Central Station; on this line there are the stops of Bologna Fiere and Bologna Arcoveggio, which are expected to be activated in the future again for the SFM. In addition, from the sidewalk of Binari 3 and 4 south side you can access the pedestrian interconnection with the Bologna Remesse stop of the Bologna-Portomaggiore line of FER (not very well signaled for the truth), which will be modernized in the future and adapted to the standards of the SFM from Bologna. In short, there is a great technological profusion all concentrated here, but the average user does not have the slightest perception of it, and unfortunately the low attendance of the Bologna San Vitale station testifies to this. It would almost seem that we are "ashamed" of the good we try to do, instead of advertising it and sharing it with everyone ... after all, the station belongs to everyone ... even a few didactic illustrations with brief explanations and maybe a little history of construction would be enough of the Station, which would please everyone and in particular those who have worked on it with great profusion of commitment, effort, sweat ... LONG LIVE ITALIAN TECHNOLOGY, ALWAYS!

There are no automatic ticket machines (in mazzini si). To see where and when trains arrive you must necessarily go up to the tracks, which are not exactly comfortable to reach. Sometimes trains run, sometimes not at the discretion of the driver who does not always remember that one train out of two should stop. They are very exposed to wind and rain.

Station for regional, comfortable enough to reach. It has covered spaces in bad weather and lifts to easily reach the different tracks. The only flaw is that there is no automatic ticket office and tickets must be bought in a tobacconist's not really close

The new San Vitale station has been built for about two years. It is equipped with 4 tracks all served by elevators and all accessible also in wheelchairs for the disabled. Two tracks go to Rimini track 1 and 2 and two other tracks to Florence 3 and 4. All 4 lead to central Bologna. The only flaw there are no toilets. To change the track you have to go down and use a pedestrian street flanked by a cycle path. The tracks are covered by a canopy and the automatic ticket office is missing and there are time tables. Also stop the tper train that you can take with the bus pass.