On Friday 26 April 2024, the voluntary association “METROPOLITANA DELLA PIANA ODV” was officially established, which will operate immediately in the territory of the Piana di Gioia Tauro with the aim of promoting the transformation of the Taurensi railway lines (already owned by Mediterranea Calabro Lucane, subsequently Ferrovie Calabro Lucane, today under the management of the company Ferrovie della Calabria Srl) in a modern surface metro serving the inhabitants of the aforementioned territorial area. The new association, which will have its registered office in the Municipality of Palmi, was created by a group of citizens particularly sensitive to encouraging local public transport. The presidency of the Association was entrusted for the first two years to the journalist and historian, Domenico De Luca, already an expert in the problems relating to the Calabrian railway lines: «I am particularly satisfied – declared De Luca – with the birth of our group. Immediately, we will be operational to promote the conversion of the two railway routes of the Gioia Tauro – Cinquefrondi line and the Gioia Tauro – Palmi – Sinopoli/San Procopio line into a modern surface metro». Therefore, on the new project: «Our project – continued the president – involves the creation of two metropolitan lines, called Metro A and Metro B, which will be derived from the existing infrastructure, but modernized and improved according to the current needs of the commuter users. Basically, the aim is to create a modern, efficient, widespread TPL system and above all using latest generation and eco-sustainable rolling stock”.
The following members are founding members of the new Association: Paolo Albanese (Vice President), Maria Albanese, Rocco Parrello, Giovanni Petronio, Giovanni Sidari and Michela Trivellini. Among the aims declared by the group: the promotion and knowledge of the route for the public, the diffusion of railway culture, the transmission of recovery projects to the public, social and cultural activities relating to the lines, the organization of events, demonstrations, exhibitions , excursions related to the theme. Not least objectives will also be the preservation of the historical memory of the Taurensi lines, the conservation of the currently existing rolling stock (with particular reference to the M2.200 railcars, the FCL 188 locotender and the various towed material present at the Gioia Tauro DL) and the tourist development of the same lines, the latter themes which, according to what was communicated by the presidency itself, will be carried forward hand in hand with the metropolitan recovery project. The “Metropolitana della Piana” association also declares that it is available to interface with the local municipal administrations, with that of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, the Ferrovie della Calabria company and the Calabria Region itself. The group is ready to share the project and collaborate with other associations or committees already operating in the Piangiano area and in the regional one with the same purposes of recovery and transformation of the Taurense network.
