by Guisela Chiarella
The historic Opicina Tram resumed operations on Saturday morning after an eight-year suspension, marking the return of one of the city’s most iconic transportation lines. The first scheduled departure from Piazza Dalmazia was delayed due to a car obstructing the tracks in Piazza Casali, with service beginning at 7:35 a.m. instead of the planned 6:53 a.m.
Despite the setback, dozens of residents gathered in the early hours to witness the tram’s return. A musical celebration was planned in Piazzale Monte Re in Opicina, where participants were encouraged to bring instruments to perform El tram de Opicina, a song dedicated to the tram.
For now, the service will operate with a single vehicle running 19 trips per day. Additional cars will be introduced in the coming weeks to increase frequency. The tram, which connects Opicina with Piazza Dalmazia, will stop at key locations including Campo Romano, Obelisco, Banne, Conconello, and Vetta Scorcola.
The Opicina Tram, which dates back to 1902, was taken out of service in 2016 following an accident. Its return has been widely anticipated as a cultural and functional asset for the city.
