Is there a replacement bus?
'Sostitutivo' — sos-ti-tu-TI-vo. Five syllables; stress on the fourth.
Ask when the metro is not running due to a strike, fault, or maintenance. Replacement buses follow the metro route above ground.
'Sostitutivo' is an adjective meaning replacement or substitute. 'Bus sostitutivo' is the standard term on Italian signs and announcements. It is a compound noun + adjective where the adjective follows the noun, as is typical in Italian.
Da dove parte il bus navetta?
Where does the shuttle bus leave from?
'Bus navetta' is the informal term for the same vehicle.
Il bus sostitutivo ferma alle stesse fermate?
Does the replacement bus stop at the same stops?
Confirms coverage — sometimes it skips smaller stops.
Quanto aspetto il bus?
How long do I wait for the bus?
Ask when you are already at the stop.
Replacement bus services in Italy are often inadequate for the metro passenger volume. During peak hours they fill up quickly. Alternative options include taxis, ridesharing apps like itTaxi, or cycling via the city bike-share system.