THE STORY

Official inauguration: Montegrotto Terme 10th August 2002

from: IL MATTINO DI PADOVA, Sunday 11th August 2002

The mini-train “PUFFETTO” opening tour
At the inauguration the mayor of Montegrotto relies on Sartore’s idea.

The white and blue mini-train is called “IL PUFFETTO”. Its inauguration took place yesterday in Piazza Roma, Montegrotto. The mayor Luca Claudio was there. Matteo, the young holder’s son, cut the ribbon.
The train current course starts in Piazza Roma, goes through the city center until Mezzavia, then goes along Corso delle Terme until the crossroad with Via Volta and goes on towards Villa Draghi. It passes through the peripheral areas where there are hotels and businesses that you can’t easily reach by public transport. In the end, it goes back to the terminal. In each course there are 30 seats. The initiative was welcomed with enthusiasm and curiosity by some people, instead others showed some concerns about it and thought preference should have been given to other works. “For this initiative –explained the councilor Nicola Pellizzari – the city didn’t spend anything. It is the result of Luca Sartore’s private initiative and the city administration has relied on it since the beginning. The ticket price for each tour is 2,50€ with reduced fees for elderly people and Montegrotto school students”. “After this first week trial the train tour and the ticket price may be changed depending on citizens’ proposals and needs”. At the moment the mini-train will work since about 10 o’clok a.m. with three morning runs with about one-hour interval, three afternoon runs and two evening runs”.
Cristina Griggio for IL MATTINO DI PADOVA

from: IL GAZZETTINO DI PADOVA, Sunday 11th August 2002

Adults and children on board  “IL PUFFETTO”, the mini-train for guests and tourists.
“Some children had to wait the second run to get on “Il Puffetto”, the mini-train that since yesterday morning has been carrying around adults and children, guests and residents. The mayor Luca Claudio was at the inauguration of this new project that the city administration considers not only as a tourist attraction or a sort of “carousel” for children but also as a real means of transport for the citizens. However, Claudio didn’t cut the ribbon: he gave the scissors to little Matteo. His parents are those who had the idea of the “Puffetto” and managed to accomplish successfully. The mini-train in its actual touristic tour goes through Montegrotto’s boundaries: with Abano on Corso delle Terme and with Due Carrare at Mezzavia. It goes thorough Villa Draghi and Mostar park. Runs departure and arrival: three in the morning from 9.30/10 o’clock a.m. with an hourly basis, three in the afternoon from Piazza Roma; ticket price for each tour is 2,50€ but may change soon.”
 

Since then, we have been coming a long way and working not only in Triveneto but also in Lombardia, Toscana and Emilia Romagna. We have grown up with you, dear friends. Thousands of you got on our mini-trains and every year you keep on travelling with us. Thank you all for your love and for your patience if sometimes “Il Puffetto” is a few minutes late. Luca