Rome Travel Forum

My companion has limited mobility with 2 artificial hips, and as she is not able to walk long distances we intend using public transport in Rome, and other parts of Italy.
I have been trying to find out about the height of steps up into buses, and other forms of public transport.
Here some buses have low steps, others have platforms that lower, and others
have the old high steps. Because of her artificial hips Susan can't manage the
latter (also applies to some trams and trains). Has anyone noticed what the
situation is in Rome or other parts of Italy?
I know from my own experience that this tends not to be something you notice unless you have a special reason to pay attention!
Many thanks,
Sue

http://www.access-able.com/tales/rome_access_2003.html

Try this link. From my own experience, don't rely on things to work and run reliably. The only thing you can rely on in Italy is the friendliness and helpfulness of the people.

I would place very high importance on a centrally located hotel largely making public transport unnecessary.

Win

Adding to RhineRoll's good tip, I can say that it largely depends. Most (but not all) buses are of the new, low-floor, disabled-friendly type, so they shouldn't be a problem. Also, on all buses there will be one or two seats that are reserved for disabled people (and usually the other passengers won't hesitate to help and give up their seats).

The metro is another thing: if your friend can manage escalators then it's fine, otherwise not all stations have lifts. The stations with easy access for disabled people are marked on underground maps.

Trams can be new or old. The new ones have good access, the old ones I don't remember.

With trains you will usually have a problem as most stations are built so that you have to climb three steep steps to get on. However, in larger stations you can get the station personnel to help you (e.g. by bringing a wheelchair).

For airports, there is total assistance, so you should be ok wherever you go.

Many thanks to you both for your excellent advice.
It is when you have these special requests/needs that VT really comes into its own as a community.
Cheers,
Sue

FYI, I will be in Italy as well this September, and I intend to use the ATAF public transport in Florence -- they do have a couple of accessible bus lines. It is also possible to book boarding aid for the express trains between Florence and Rome. You have to make an advance reservation though with at least 24 hours inbetween. My beforehand guess would be that this works quite bureaucratically, but when I am on the platform and people see me in my wheelchair, they will jump to my assistance :-)

Thanks for this information about the trains. I think that people are often well intentioned when they see other people in obvious need of assistance, but I'll bear in mind the "official" channels.
Have a great time in Florence- I see you have found a very helpful guide book.
Cheers
Sue