Bologna

ZTL Rates and Regulations

From 7am to 8pm every day (including holidays) tourist buses cannot access the historic centre, with the exception of those going to hotels, according to certain methods. Below you will find information exclusively on ZTL rates and parking for tourist buses in the city of Bologna.

How ​​to Purchase and Modify Tickets

Access to the ZTL

• Piazza Malpighi stop: Tourist buses can access the restricted traffic zone to reach the Piazza Malpighi stop (east side, towards the centre) to pick up and drop off passengers for a maximum of 5 minutes. For this access, a ticket costing 100 euros per day is required.
  • Mandatory route: Access from piazza di Porta S. Isaia, via S. Isaia, piazza Malpighi, exit from via Marconi, piazza dei Martiri 1943-1945, via Don Minzoni (up to the ring road avenues).
• Prohibitions:
  • The stop in Piazza Nettuno is always prohibited.
  • Tourist buses can circulate in the preferential lanes of Bologna outside the historic center, without the need to communicate the passage, which will not be sanctioned.

Parking

Stopping Points for Tourist Buses

• Piazza XX Settembre: Located at the entrance to the historic centre, here it is possible to load and unload passengers and take advantage of paid services, including parking. For information and reservations, consult the Bologna bus station website.
• Piazza di Porta San Mamolo: For passengers only, it is possible to use the specific stop in Piazza di Porta San Mamolo (near the local market), for a maximum of 20 minutes.

Access and Payment Procedures

Methods of Purchase and Registration of the License Plate

• Ticket Purchase (Link): The ticket can be purchased online via credit card or bank transfer. During the purchase, you must provide:
  • Legal entity data.
  • Email address for receipt.
  • Payment methods.
  • Vehicle license plate.
  • Date of use of the ticket.
• Modify Ticket: It is possible to modify the data of a ticket that has not yet been used up to the day before the date of use.

Method of Access for Buses Directly to Hotels

• Historical Center: Buses going to the hotels in the center can access the ZTL for loading/unloading passengers. Transit through the remote controlled gates of the "T" area (Indipendenza, Ugo Bassi, Rizzoli) and the University area (Bertoloni, Belmeloro) is prohibited.
• Area "T": Buses can travel along Via Indipendenza, but not pass through the remote controlled gates of Rizzoli and Ugo Bassi.
• University Area: Buses can access from the remote controlled gates of Bertoloni and Belmeloro, but not through those in the "T" area.

Licensed buses, city shuttles and school buses

The access methods for buses with a license from the Metropolitan City of Bologna, issued by the Mobility Agency (Società reti e Mobilità - Srm), and for buses in the urban shuttle service remain unchanged and continue to access the restricted traffic zone for free.

The school buses that provide school transport on behalf of the Municipalities of the Metropolitan City of Bologna continue to be included free of charge in the ZTL access system following communication from the Municipalities for which they operate.

Concessions and Discounts

• Licensed Buses: Buses licensed by the Metropolitan City of Bologna and those in the urban shuttle service have free access to the ZTL.
• School buses: School buses transporting students on behalf of the Municipalities of the Metropolitan City of Bologna are exempt from payment, subject to communication from the Municipalities.

Contacts and Information

Urban Mobility Help Desk

• Telephone: +39 051 2193042 (Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30am to 2pm and from 2.30pm to 5pm; Friday from 8.30am to 1pm; closed Monday and Wednesday).
• Email: protocollogenerale@pec.comune.bologna.it
• Address: Piazza Liber Paradisus, 10, Bologna.
• Website: https://www.comune.bologna.it/servizi-informazioni/bus-turistici

Miscellaneous

Hotels are responsible for communicating tourist bus license plates to the Municipality of Bologna to avoid sanctions. For further information, see the useful links:

• Urban Mobility Help Desk
• Tourist Buses Bologna
• Bologna bus station

Please Note: The data relating to ZTLs in this document may NOT be updated or accurate. It is therefore advisable, if unsure, to consult the official websites of the competent bodies for accurate information, given the complexity of the regulations.