Friday, September 17, 1999 Published at 16:55 GMT 17:55 UK

World: Europe

Italian railways smooth millennium glitch

Italian transport officials say all trains will come to a halt just before midnight on 31 December to avoid possible accidents because of the millennium computer problem.

The move is expected to affect about 250 passenger trains scheduled to be travelling at midnight - each of them will come to a halt for between fifteen and twenty minutes.

Passengers will be given a New Year's drink to compensate them for the inconvenience.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_450000/450548.stm

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), September 17, 1999

Answers

Just another excuse the Italians have for the most fouled up train system I ever rode on. The last time a train was on time in Italy, Mussolini was in power. Very tricky those Italians...

-- Billy-Boy (Rakkasn@Yahoo.com), September 17, 1999.

Italians and computers.......?

naaaahhhh....

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), September 17, 1999.

Naw...it's an excuse to share new year's drinks. Only the Italians would be so imaginative.

But one question. Given the typical failure of Italian railroads to be on schedule, will the shutdowns occur on schedule, or will many of them be, say 15-30 minutes late?

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), September 17, 1999.