Brescia Metro

The impetus for the establishment of a metro in the Brescia region has its origin during the 1980s, which was around the same time in which the first fully automatic light metro systems were being introduced at various other mid-size cities in Europe. During 1986, the City Council of Brescia was openly considering options for improving the city's transportation system in response to the rapid rise of road congestion in the region, which had in turn been generated with the increasing popularity of private motor vehicles amongst the populace.[6] A pair of feasibility studies were commissioned during the following year; the introduction of various alternative transport systems, including the use of light rail, a metro system, and trolley buses, were thoroughly examined from both technical and commercial viewpoints. Eventually, these studies determined that the adoption of an automated light metro system was as the optimum technology to meet the city's requirements.[6]

During 1989, the first public tender for the establishment of such a system was announced. However, this project was ultimately cancelled in 1996. During 1994, the first application for public financing for the project was issued. Public financing from the central government was first issued during the following year, while other funds were made available during 2002 from the regional government. During 2000, the tendering process for the construction of the automated metro was initiated by the city authorities.[6] During that same year, it was publicly announced that bids, including those from international vendors, were being accepted for the first phase of the project.

The site of Volta station in May 2006.

During April 2003, a €575 million contract was awarded to a consortium led by Ansaldo STS, which included AnsaldoBreda, Astaldi and Acciona, who proposed to implement a system that would be largely similar to the Copenhagen Metro.[4] Under this arrangement, Ansaldo STS acted as the prime contactor for the metro's construction, being primarily responsible for matters pertaining to the power supply and automatic train control systems, as well as for the supply of various other subsystems such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and telecommunication equipment.[6] Of the other partners, Astaldi supervised the execution of the project's civil engineering, including the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, while AnsaldoBreda manufactured the rolling stock. Various information, planning, and other operational systems were supplied by IVU Traffic Technologies.[6]

During January 2004, construction work on the project commenced. However, following a series of archaeological discoveries, the majority of which having been found in the vicinity of the S.Faustino and Vittoria stations, some delays were encountered. Eventually, some aspects of the construction programme were redesigned, including some of the intended stations for the network, in order to reduce its exposure to the historically sensitive areas; consequently, the start of the metro services was eventually set back towards 2013.[6] On 2 March 2013, the first line was officially opened.[3][7]

The first railway line of Brescia Metro has been viewed as being only a starting point for the eventual construction of much more extensive metro network, which is to cover large sections of the city as well as spreading into its developing suburban areas on the outskirts.[6] Reportedly, plans have been mooted for the construction of a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) line that would run between Lamarmora Station and the Fiera Exhibition Ground, traversing through a densely populated part of the city in the process. Additionally, it has been proposed to establish a metro line running between Prealpino and Inzino, which would pass through the Trompia Valley.[6]