Dear
Mayor Renzi,
I
love your city and have been fortunate enough to visit it often with friends
over the last several years. Sometimes I would stay for a few weeks; now I try
to stay for a month or two at a time. While most of the changes that I have
seen are welcome, I hope that you can solve one frustrating issue that causes a
lot of confusion for my friends when they arrive at the Santa Maria Novella
train station.
As
they walk out of the station to the south, just before leaving the terminal,
there is a large arrow overhead that is supposed to direct visitors to the
Tourist Information Office (TI). However, the arrow unfortunately points to the
west, towards the McDonalds! By the time they have trekked over in that
direction, usually lugging their suitcases, they are frustrated when they find
no information, just more traffic to fight when they cross back to the train
station to look or ask for more information. Even the police in the station are
frustrated, having posted signs at their office saying ‘No information’ about
the TI.
I have always found
Florentines to be kind and accommodating under these circumstances, and the TI
offices are always staffed by knowledgeable and very patient staff (who also
speak excellent English). However, I cannot begin to describe the frustration
and anger that these tired and misdirected tourists feel by the time they
finally manage to find the TI at the train station.
I hate to see others
experience such a bad first impression of a city that I love, especially when
it could be avoided by just another sign or a bit more explanation, directing
tourists south, down the steps and across to the SMN church to find the TI.
Could you please
have someone clear up this misleading arrow at the train station? Florence is
such a special place. It deserves a great first impression, especially when the
TI’s staff is ready and willing to make everyone welcome.
Thank you for your
attention on redirecting the arrow.
Sincerely,
Shirley Olsen,
Born and raised in
Seattle, WA, USA
Dear Shirley,
From the
beginning of my time in Palazzo Vecchio, this administration has invested a
great deal in the quality of our tourist offices, and, as you say, they are
staffed by people who are well prepared and efficient. In addition to the
tourist point in piazza Stazione, we have opened a new infopoint in piazza
Duomo at the Bigallo, and have improved the one at the airport.
At the moment we
are working on a comprehensive project to improve all of the signage in
Florence. Called ‘Camminare a Firenze,’ this new system of signs will bring an
easy-to-spot visual unity to the network of paths through the city available to
pedestrians.
Thank you for
pointing out this problem. I assure you that we will soon have new signs in
place that will eliminate this frustrating situation for visitors.
Best wishes,
Matteo
Those interested in writing the mayor can send
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Mayor’ in the subject line of the email. Emails must clearly state the
author’s first name, surname, city and country of birth, and the city and
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