Beginning in early 2017, new security measures will be introduced at Santa Maria Novella railway station, aimed at reducing incidents of pickpocketing, theft and petty crime. Following the model set by Roma Termini and Milano Centrale, Santa Maria Novella will replace the current platform barriers with more advanced electronic glass gates. In total, there will be 17 new gates installed.
When the new system is in place, passengers must scan their purchased ticket to be able to move through the gates. Additional surveillance cameras will be set up, and 70 railway employees will monitor the surrounding areas.
The gates will be installed on the asphalt section of the station floors, rather than on the historically and architecturally significant marble flooring. Plans are also underway to reopen the underpasses between the station platforms and the pedestrian gate to the Gae Aulenti walkway, which leads to piazzale Montelungo outside the Fortezza da Basso.
