Milan Metro Line 1


Line 1 is the first underground rapid transit line built in Milan, Italy. It is part of the Milan Metro and it is operated by ATM. Works on the line began in 1957, and the first part was opened on 1 November 1964, running from Sesto Marelli to Lotto station. The line is also called Red Line, as it is visually identified by red signs. Due to its premiership, the line gave its red color to the Milan Metro logo.

Route

The line runs underground from the northern suburb of Sesto San Giovanni to the city centre, then to the western district with two different branches, one northwest to Rho, the other to the west to Bisceglie. It is long and serves 38 underground stations.
Key points served by the line are Duomo, considered the center of Milan; Castello Sforzesco ; Cadorna, one of the busiest stations in Milan and in Italy; Corso Buenos Aires, an important shopping street; and Rho Fiera, one of the largest fairgrounds in the world.
Station NameTransferBranchOpening
Sesto I Maggio Main route28 September 1986
Sesto RondòMain route28 September 1986
Sesto MarelliMain route1 November 1964
Villa San GiovanniMain route1 November 1964
PrecottoMain route1 November 1964
GorlaMain route1 November 1964
TurroMain route1 November 1964
RoveretoMain route1 November 1964
PasteurMain route1 November 1964
LoretoMain route1 November 1964
LimaMain route1 November 1964
Porta Venezia Main route1 November 1964
PalestroMain route1 November 1964
San BabilaMain route1 November 1964
DuomoMain route1 November 1964
CordusioMain route1 November 1964
CairoliMain route1 November 1964
Cadorna
Main route1 November 1964
ConciliazioneMain route1 November 1964
PaganoMain route1 November 1964
BuonarrotiRho Fieramilano branch1 November 1964
AmendolaRho Fieramilano branch1 November 1964
LottoRho Fieramilano branch1 November 1964
QT8Rho Fieramilano branch8 November 1975
LampugnanoRho Fieramilano branch12 April 1980
UruguayRho Fieramilano branch12 April 1980
BonolaRho Fieramilano branch12 April 1980
San LeonardoRho Fieramilano branch12 April 1980
Molino DorinoRho Fieramilano branch28 September 1986
PeroRho Fieramilano branch19 December 2005
Rho Fieramilano Rho Fieramilano branch19 December 2005
WagnerBisceglie branch2 April 1966
De AngeliBisceglie branch2 April 1966
GambaraBisceglie branch2 April 1966
Bande NereBisceglie branch18 April 1975
PrimaticcioBisceglie branch18 April 1975
InganniBisceglie branch18 April 1975
BisceglieBisceglie branch21 March 1992

History

On 6 April 1952 the city administration asked for a project of a metro system and on 6 October 1955 a new company, Metropolitana Milanese, was created to manage the construction of the new infrastructure. The project was funded with ₤ 500 million from the municipality and the rest from a loan. The construction site of the first line was opened in viale Monte Rosa on 4 May 1957. Stations on the new line were designed by Franco Albini-Franca Helg architecture studio. Bob Noorda designed the famous wayfinding and signage system.
At first, stations were designed without the mezzanine floor. However, these were added to the final design to allow street crossing and the use of gates to collect tickets.
The line from Lotto to Sesto Marelli opened on 1 November 1964, after seven years of construction works.

Rolling stock

There are 3 types of trains running on the line: revamped original trains, the "Meneghino" trains, and the "" trains.
The original first series trains were phased out between 2014 and 2015. The track gauge is the. The entire line is electrified by means of a third or fourth rail at 750 V DC.
Among the 63 trains running on the line, 20 entered service between 1964 and 1970. Those trains were replaced by the "Meneghino" trains, and more were replaced by the "Leonardo" trains. Subsequently, the original first series trains were retired and dismantled. These new trains fully replaced the older, non-upgraded series still operating on Line 1.
On November 17, 2024, the first of 21 "Galileo" trains produced by Hitachi Rail at the Reggio Calabria plant was delivered for Line 1. These trains are set to completely replace the refurbished original sets. Their entry into service is scheduled for 2025.

Extension

An extension towards the north from Sesto Primo Maggio to Monza Bettola is currently under construction. It is expected to be completed by 2023. The new section will be long with 2 stations, entirely underground. The total cost will be €206 million.
Station NameTransferGrade
Sesto RestelloneUnderground
Monza BettolaUnderground

An extension of the western branch from Bisceglie towards the city limits has been approved in 2019. The new stations will be located at Baggio, via Valsesia and at Quartiere Olmi. The national government will provide €210 million, while the total cost is estimated at €350 million. The public construction contract for a total of €362 million was awarded in June 2025. The construction work is planned to last 6 years 3 months.
Station NameTransferGrade
Parri-ValsesiaUnderground
BaggioUnderground
OlmiUnderground