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Getting Around

Public Transport
Bologna's efficient bus system, run by the ATC (Trasporti Pubblici Bologna; website: www.atc.bo.it), has information booths in the train and coach stations and on Via Marconi. Tickets cost L1800 and allow the traveller to change buses or make a return journey within the hour. As with the trains, tickets must be validated by punching them in the machine when boarding the bus. Better value is the City Pass permitting seven journeys, (each punch covers the holder for an hour) priced at L10,000 or the Day Ticket which costs L6000 and lasts 24 hours from validation. A monthly pass costs L55,000. Tickets can be purchased at tabacchi, bars and newspaper kiosks. Information on all ATC services is available from the ATC Call Centre (tel: (051) 290 290; daily 0700-2000).

Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street, but rarely stop. It is better to hire them at taxi ranks (Piazza Maggiore and the train station) or to telephone the city's taxi cooperative Co.Ta.BoI, (tel: (051) 372 727). Taxis in Italy are expensive, with supplements for luggage, night-time travel (2200-0700), or travelling on Sunday. If booked by telephone, passengers will be charged for the trip to the pick-up point. The minimum tariff is L6000 with a charge of L1500 per kilometre within the city. A taxi from the airport costs about L25,000-30,000.

Limousines
None of the listed companies hire limousines - they need to be booked from outside suppliers. Luxury cars, chauffeured by English-speaking drivers, are provided by Essediesse, Via Jacopo della Lana 8 (tel: (051) 393 966; fax (051 429 1319), or Linea Blu, Via Corazza 3, (tel: (051) 324 040; fax (051) 320 802). To hire a Mercedes 200 costs L580,000 for eight hours.

Driving in the City
There is no real need for a car in Bologna's compact centre and parking can be tricky. The city centre (centro storico) is closed to private cars 0700-2000 daily, including Sunday and public holidays. Guests staying in the city centre are exempt from these restrictions and should ask the hotel to inform the police of their registration number on arrival. To arrive in the city centre, drivers should follow the centro sign off the ring road (tangenziale) which links Bologna to the motorway. Full details of the city's park and ride scheme which operate at 11 major car parks outside the restricted area can obtained from the ATC (tel: (051) 290 290; website: www.atc.bo.it).

Car Hire
All major car hire companies have offices in the city, including Avis, Via Pietramellara 27, (tel: (051) 255 024), and Hertz, Via G Amendola 16, (tel: (051) 254 830). Drivers must be 23 and 25 years old respectively. Car hire in Italy is expensive, costing an average of L550,000 a week.

Bicycle & Scooter Hire
Bicycles and scooters can be hired from Senzauto at the train station in Piazza Medaglie d'Oro (tel: (051) 251 401). Visitors should ask for Noleggi Biciclette. Prices start at L3000 an hour for bicycles (L15,000 for 24 hours) and L15,000 an hour for scooters (L60,000 for 24 hours).



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