Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

STRIKES

Rome transport disruption averted as unions call off Monday strike

The first transport strike of the year in Italy has been cancelled after an agreement was reached between unions and Rome's public transport operator.

Published: 13 January 2023 17:52 CET
Roma Termini bus station in Rome, Italy
The planned January 16th strike by Atac and TPL staff was called off after an agreement was reached. Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP

Rome’s commuters won’t have to deal with delayed and crowded public transport services on Monday as feared, after unions on Friday said they had called off a planned public transport strike in the capital.

READ ALSO: Metro, bus or tram: Rome’s public transport explained

Staff from Rome’s public transport company Atac had planned to hold a four-hour strike on the morning of Monday, January 16th in protest over standards of maintenence on the network. 

The protest was expected to cause widespread disruption for passengers travelling by bus, tram or metro within the city.

But the walkout was cancelled after unions and Atac reportedly managed to reach an agreement on the issues raised.

Strikes in Italy are scheduled well in advance – and listed on a handy calendar provided by the transport ministry – but are often later called off, in many cases at short notice.

You can keep up to date with the latest strike news from Italy HERE.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

STRIKES

How is Italy’s nationwide public transport strike affecting travel on Monday?

Public transport passengers face delays or cancellations on Monday, September 18th, as some services around Italy are set to be affected by a 24-hour strike.

Published: 15 September 2023 10:39 CEST
Updated: 18 September 2023 12:00 CEST
How is Italy's nationwide public transport strike affecting travel on Monday?

The strike was called in late August by five of Italy’s main transport workers’ unions to demand a “300-euro pay rise” amid the cost of living crisis and improved health and safety measures in the workplace.

Monday’s walkout is set to affect all types of local public transport, from surface services (bus, trams, ferries, etc.) to metro lines. 

As is generally the case with strikes in Italy however, the level of disruption will vary by region and city. 

According to the latest national media reports, commuters in Milan, Rome, Venice and Bologna are all likely to experience some disruption on Monday, though the strike may also have an impact elsewhere.

READ ALSO: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in September 2023

In Rome, the services of Atac, Roma TPL and Cotral – the three main transport operators in the city – are all expected to be impacted by the strike, according to the official Roma Mobilita’ information desk.

In Bologna, buses operated by local company Tper “are not guaranteed” to run between 4.30 and 7.30pm, and the Marconi Express (which connects the city centre with Marconi airport) may see delays or cancellations during the day.

In Milan, services run by the city’s main transport operator ATM were reportedly running as normal on Friday morning, but could be disrupted at any time before 3pm and after 6pm.

In Venice, the city’s transport operator warned that the walkout may disrupt water bus lines to and from the main island as well as tram and bus services on the mainland.

It’s worth stressing that strikes in Italy don’t always mean a complete stop to all public transport services.

By law, transport companies in Italy are required to provide ‘minimum services’ (servizi essenziali or minimi in Italian) at certain times of the day, which are known as ‘protected time windows’ (or fasce protette) and usually coincide with peak commute hours. 

READ ALSO: Should you travel in Italy when there’s a strike on?

The exact start and end times of these fasce will once again vary from city to city. Here’s an overview of the scheduled ‘protected’ time windows in some of the major Italian cities on Monday:

  • Milan: from start of service to 8.45am; from 3pm to 6pm
  • Rome: from start of service to 8.30am; from 5pm to 8pm
  • Turin: from 6am to 9am; from 12.00pm to 3pm
  • Bologna: from start of service to 8.30am; from 4.30pm to 7.30pm
  • Venice (road transport services only): from 6am to 8.59am; 4.30pm to 7.29pm
  • Florence: from 4.15am to 8.14am; from 12.30pm to 2.49pm

If you’re planning to travel on September 18th, you’re strongly advised to check out the planned minimum services and guaranteed hours of the public transport companies in your own city. These can usually be found in the news section of their websites. 

Passengers can also check the live status of local services on the transport company’s website or social media accounts on the day of the strike.

Rail and air travel

As the strike involves local public transport operators, it’s unlikely to affect long-distance or regional rail services.

Air travel won’t be directly impacted by the walkout, though airport transfer lines around the country may operate on a reduced schedule.

Taxis

Taxi services around the country are not expected to be affected by the strike on Monday.

You can keep up to date with the latest updates in The Local’s strike news section.

SHOW COMMENTS