Major transport strikes hit travellers across Italy this week
Anyone travelling or commuting in Italy today or Friday should brace for potential disruption from two nationwide transport strikes.
The national strike on Wednesday 24 July affects all public transport, including taxis, buses, trains and ferries.
Another strike will hit the country on Friday 26th, this time hitting air travel.
Passengers flying to or from Italy this week should check the status of their flights Photo: Damien Meyer/AFP
Wednesday July 24th
In Rome, public transport will be heavily disrupted for four hours, from 12.30 until 16.30.
The strike affects the entire ATAC network, which operates the metro, buses, trams, and some light rail services. It will also hit suburban bus routes operated by Roma TPL.
Genova, Padova and Rovigo are also set to be hit by local transport disruption.
And don't rely on getting a taxi instead. There's a 24-hour taxi strike scheduled for the same day.
The national rail network will also be hit by strikes for eight hours, between 09.01 and 17.01, and a 24-hour strike will affect ferries.
Friday July 26th
Disruption is expected at airports throughout Italy, with national airline Alitalia staff and other airport workers staging strikes planned to last from four to 24 hours.
READ ALSO: What are my rights if a flight is cancelled or delayed?
The strike action has been called by trade unions protesting proposed new government transport plans.
Anyone planning to travel on these dates should contact Alitalia, their train operator or local public transport authority to confirm their service will be running.
Transport strikes in Italy are scheduled in advance, and you can find information about planned disruptions (in Italian only) on the Transport Ministry's website.
Rail passengers also faced disruption on Monday morning as high-speed train services between Rome and Florence were halted after fires on the line in Tuscany.
Rail operators believe the fires were started by arsonists, rail company RFI said in a statement on Mondy morning.
The high-speed service is now running again but on a limited schedule.
Useful vocabulary
lo sciopero – strike
cancellato or annullato – cancelled
ritardato or in ritardo – delayed
il rimborso – refund
cambiare la prenotazione – to rebook
Comments
See Also
The national strike on Wednesday 24 July affects all public transport, including taxis, buses, trains and ferries.
Another strike will hit the country on Friday 26th, this time hitting air travel.
Passengers flying to or from Italy this week should check the status of their flights Photo: Damien Meyer/AFP
Wednesday July 24th
In Rome, public transport will be heavily disrupted for four hours, from 12.30 until 16.30.
The strike affects the entire ATAC network, which operates the metro, buses, trams, and some light rail services. It will also hit suburban bus routes operated by Roma TPL.
Genova, Padova and Rovigo are also set to be hit by local transport disruption.
And don't rely on getting a taxi instead. There's a 24-hour taxi strike scheduled for the same day.
The national rail network will also be hit by strikes for eight hours, between 09.01 and 17.01, and a 24-hour strike will affect ferries.
Friday July 26th
Disruption is expected at airports throughout Italy, with national airline Alitalia staff and other airport workers staging strikes planned to last from four to 24 hours.
READ ALSO: What are my rights if a flight is cancelled or delayed?
The strike action has been called by trade unions protesting proposed new government transport plans.
Anyone planning to travel on these dates should contact Alitalia, their train operator or local public transport authority to confirm their service will be running.
Transport strikes in Italy are scheduled in advance, and you can find information about planned disruptions (in Italian only) on the Transport Ministry's website.
Rail passengers also faced disruption on Monday morning as high-speed train services between Rome and Florence were halted after fires on the line in Tuscany.
Rail operators believe the fires were started by arsonists, rail company RFI said in a statement on Mondy morning.
The high-speed service is now running again but on a limited schedule.
Useful vocabulary
lo sciopero – strike
cancellato or annullato – cancelled
ritardato or in ritardo – delayed
il rimborso – refund
cambiare la prenotazione – to rebook
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.