Meloni inaugurates direct Rome-Pompeii rail service

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 16 - Premier Giorgia Meloni and Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano on Sunday travelled on the inaugural train service directly connecting Rome and Pompeii.
    The premier was welcomed by applause by members of the public after arriving at Pompeii before her delegation got on to a shuttle bus to the ancient Roman archaeological site.
    Up until now it has been necessary for people wanting to get to the world's most famous archaeological site from the capital via train to change in Naples - an option that remains available.
    But thanks to an agreement between the culture ministry and rail company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) there will now be one direct Frecciarossa high-speed service every day.
    The outward service leaves Rome at 8:53 and reaches Pompeii at 10:40 after stopping at the Napoli Centrale station at 10:03.
    The return departs from Pompeii at 18:40, stops in Naples at 19:23 and gets into Rome's Termini station at 20:55.
    "The initiative is starting in this way, but it is possible that it will be developed further," said Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano at the presentation of the new service last week.
    "Article 9 of the Constitution says that we must preserve and protect cultural heritage, but we must also develop it". (ANSA).