Viafèra de Montecara

VM

Overview
Owner	State of Montecara
Area served	Montecara
Transit type	Rapid transit, light railway, tram, bus, coach, ferry, funicular, bicycle share
Number of lines	9 rapid-transit lines 6 light-rail lines 22 tram lines 56 bus lines 19 coach lines 6 ferry lines
Number of stations	93 rapid-transit stations
Website	vm.mc
Operation
Began operation	1887
Number of vehicles	76 rapid-transit carriages 68 light-rail units 87 trams 137 buses 42 coaches 34 ferries 4 funiculars 920 bicycles
Technical
Track gauge	Meter gauge
Electrification	25 kV / 50 Hz AC Overhead lines

VM, officially Viafèra de Montecara (Montecaran, Railway of Montecara), is the public mass transit operator in Montecara. It traces its origins to the first public transit in the city-state, a single horse-drawn tram line which began operating in 1867. It was created as a public monopoly on 1 December 1931, amalgamating the (now electric) trams and a network of narrow-gauge steam and electric train lines that crisscrossed the island. It currently operates trains, trams, buses, ferries, funiculars, and bicycle share.

History

Rail transport in Montecara dates back to 1854, when the city-state’s first railroad was constructed from Port Nuova to Gabalòn, a distance of 12 km. The line carried cargo and passengers on trains powered by steam-driven locomotives, but was essentially a novelty until a more robust network of rails was developed over the following decades. Early rail lines were built and operated as private ventures, most notably by the Conpània Integràl da Viafèra, a joint-stock corporation that aimed to dominate the domestic railway market.

Rail transport took on a new significance for Montecara after the construction of the Pont da Ùnita in 1870, which provided a rail connection to mainland Conitia. The bridge had been financed and constructed by the state, which left the government in the position of picking winners as it selectively doled out permission to run trains to the mainland. It used this power to chip away at CIV’s dominant position by limiting the number of trains per day that they were allowed to run to Conitia and thus opening up the Montecaran railroad market to outside players. It also refused for many years to grant mail contracts to CIV, which denied it a critical source of reliable income that kept many other rail companies afloat. Unable to withstand the financial pressure, CIV was forced to liquidate in 1882, and the Montecaran state bought its assets for a fraction of their real value. It nationalized all track infrastructure and created Viafèra de Montecara as a state-owned company to own and operate rolling stock.

Payment

Ticket vending machines at Àeroport

Rail, bus, and ferry operate as proof-of-payment systems. There are no faregates or turnstiles at stations; passengers are expected to buy their tickets and present them to fare inspectors who occasionally board trains and buses for verification. The exception is that, during large events, VM will set up temporary barriers and check all tickets prior to boarding.

Tickets are sold at vending machines at train stations and many tram and bus stops, at ticket desks at major stations, at tobacconists' shops, and by mail. Tickets are not sold on board transit vehicles except for buses and trams, on which passengers may buy a single-ride ticket only (exact change in coins required). Tickets must be validated prior to use.

Penalties for riding without a ticket vary from as low as Ł300 if paid on the spot, to Ł400 and ejection at the next stop for a first offense, to Ł1000 or more for repeat offenses. Penalties are administered and collected by VM and do not fall under criminal law. Traveling with an invalid ticket type, such as a reduced-fare ticket when ineligible for one, is treated the same as traveling without a ticket.

Ticket	Regular fare
Single-ride (90 minutes)	Ł10
Day pass	Ł30
Three-day pass	Ł60
Seven-day pass	Ł120
Monthly pass	Ł400
Annual pass	Ł2400

Reduced-fare tickets are half the regular price. They are available to passengers aged 62 or over, students, the disabled, and those receiving state aid. Reduced-fare tickets are sold at all ticket vending locations. It is up to the passenger to prove eligibility by carrying valid identification.

Services

Rail

Metrovìa trainset en route to Iàlba station

Tranvìa vehicles entering and leaving the çìta

VM operates three distinct types of rail transit: heavy-rail rapid transit lines that are grade-separated and have high running speeds and limited stops; light rail lines that are partially grade-separated and have moderate speeds and capacities; and a legacy tram network that runs in mixed traffic and provides curbside service along its entire route.

Rapid transit and light rail routes are collectively branded as Metrovìa. These are designed to move passengers quickly between districts within the urban area of Montecara and between the center city and outlying areas. Stations are generally spaced between 500 and 1500 meters apart, equivalent to a 5 to 15-minute walk.

The tram network, branded as Tranvìa, operates smaller, older trams that are capable of climbing steep hills and navigating tight corners. These routes have been left in place because there is no viable modern alternative mode that is capable of serving their routes, which means that withdrawing service would leave residents of these areas with no access to any form of transit. Indeed, in many of these areas, they are the only means of wheeled transport aside from bicycles. Tram routes run daily from at least 6:00 to 23:00, though trams may run less frequently during off-peak hours, weekends, and public holidays.

Bus

VM operates two types of bus service: Autobùs, a typical transit bus service, and Corièra, which provides longer-distance limited-stop services between the urban center of Montecara and outlying communes, particularly those not well-served by rail.

Autobùs vehicles have all been low-floor since 2009. Certain crowded areas have dedicated lanes and signal priority that allow buses to maintain a relatively high speed compared to other traffic. VM is in the process of converting its entire Autobùs fleet to electric buses, with the goal of having a 100% electric fleet by 2022.

Corièra coaches are equipped with larger, more comfortable seats as well as a toilet and, in newer models, power outlets at every seat. Unlike Autobùs vehicles, they have only a single door at the front of the bus.

Ferry

VM's ferry service is branded as Vaporèt. The Montecaran state took over a number of unprofitable ferry lines in 1890, turning them into a single public marine transit company that would later become part of VM. The service currently operates routes across the Bay of Montecara, connecting areas that do not have direct links via bridges or tunnels.

Bicycle share

Bicycles at a Metrobìci station

The bicycle share system, Metrobìci, debuted in 2006.