What to expect from Italy's nationwide train strike on Friday
Public transport services across Italy will be affected by a 24-hour strike on Friday. Here’s what passengers can expect.
Travellers in Italy are set to face more disruption on Friday, May 26th, as public transport staff from all around the country will take part in a 24-hour walkout.
The strike was called earlier this month by USB (Unione Sindacati di Base) – one of Italy’s main trade unions – in protest against precarious work contracts and low wages.
READ ALSO: What are the upcoming strikes in Italy and how could they impact you?
Friday’s action will affect all forms of public transport, from buses and trams to metro lines and rail services, as well as (possibly) taxis, leaving out only airline travel.
As usual with strikes in Italy, the level of disruption will vary by region and city.
There will be no strike action in Emilia Romagna after the region was hit by severe flooding last week.
As most of Italy prepares for another potential giornata nera on the transport front, here’s a closer look at how the incoming strike is expected to affect services.
Trains
Rail services are set to be impacted by Friday’s strike, though in the case of services run by operators Trenitalia and Italo the walkout will only last eight hours: from 9am to 5pm.
Italy’s national rail company Trenitalia said in its most recent update that long-distance Frecce and Intercity trains would operate "as normal". The details of guaranteed services can be found on Trenitalia's website here.
READ ALSO: Why are there so many transport strikes in Italy?
Local services operated by Trenitalia may however be affected by the strike action in many parts of the country, and passengers are advised to check their route's status on Friday before setting off.
Private operator Italo also confirmed services will be affected between 9am and 5pm, however again many services are guaranteed to run. See the company's full list here.
Northern rail company Trenord will also be affected by the 24-hour strike, but it was not clear on Thursday how much disruption this will cause as it will depend on how many staff take part.
Trenord said some routes may be affected throughout the day but that its Milan-Malpensa airport connection would be replaced by a bus service if any rail services were cancelled.
Public transport
Friday’s walkout is set to affect all forms of public transport, with buses, trams, ferries and metro lines all likely to experience delays or cancellations at some point during the day.
Based on the latest media reports, people in northern and central cities, including Turin, Milan, Trieste, Venice and Bologna, are likely to see the most disruption from Friday’s walkout, though major delays and/or cancellations are not to be ruled out elsewhere.
Public transport staff from all around the country will take part in a 24-hour strike on Friday, May 26th. Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP
Strikes in Italy don't mean a complete stop to all public transport services.
By law, all public transport companies in Italy are required to provide ‘minimum services’ (servizi essenziali or minimi in Italian) on strike days, with guaranteed services including those for commuters at peak times as well as airport transfer lines, which tend to remain in operation, if on a reduced schedule.
READ ALSO: Should you travel in Italy when there’s a strike on?
The exact services guaranteed to run during a strike will once again vary from city to city.
For instance, Milan’s main public transport operator ATM will run minimum services from midnight to 8.45am and then from 3pm to 6pm.
Overall, if you’re planning to travel on May 26th, you’re strongly advised to check out the planned minimum services from the public transport companies in your city (which are generally published in the news section of their websites).
Taxi services
According to Italy’s transport ministry, taxi services may also be affected by the strike, though it’s not clear at this point to what extent.
Schools
In addition to transport services, schools throughout the country are set to be affected by Friday's action, as Italy's Education Ministry has published a note on its website announcing the strike.
Whether and to what extent individual schools will remain open depends on how many and which staff decide to participate in the action: parents are advised to contact their children's school for confirmation.
You can keep up to date with the latest strike news from Italy HERE.
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Travellers in Italy are set to face more disruption on Friday, May 26th, as public transport staff from all around the country will take part in a 24-hour walkout.
The strike was called earlier this month by USB (Unione Sindacati di Base) – one of Italy’s main trade unions – in protest against precarious work contracts and low wages.
READ ALSO: What are the upcoming strikes in Italy and how could they impact you?
Friday’s action will affect all forms of public transport, from buses and trams to metro lines and rail services, as well as (possibly) taxis, leaving out only airline travel.
As usual with strikes in Italy, the level of disruption will vary by region and city.
There will be no strike action in Emilia Romagna after the region was hit by severe flooding last week.
As most of Italy prepares for another potential giornata nera on the transport front, here’s a closer look at how the incoming strike is expected to affect services.
Trains
Rail services are set to be impacted by Friday’s strike, though in the case of services run by operators Trenitalia and Italo the walkout will only last eight hours: from 9am to 5pm.
Italy’s national rail company Trenitalia said in its most recent update that long-distance Frecce and Intercity trains would operate "as normal". The details of guaranteed services can be found on Trenitalia's website here.
READ ALSO: Why are there so many transport strikes in Italy?
Local services operated by Trenitalia may however be affected by the strike action in many parts of the country, and passengers are advised to check their route's status on Friday before setting off.
Private operator Italo also confirmed services will be affected between 9am and 5pm, however again many services are guaranteed to run. See the company's full list here.
Northern rail company Trenord will also be affected by the 24-hour strike, but it was not clear on Thursday how much disruption this will cause as it will depend on how many staff take part.
Trenord said some routes may be affected throughout the day but that its Milan-Malpensa airport connection would be replaced by a bus service if any rail services were cancelled.
Public transport
Friday’s walkout is set to affect all forms of public transport, with buses, trams, ferries and metro lines all likely to experience delays or cancellations at some point during the day.
Based on the latest media reports, people in northern and central cities, including Turin, Milan, Trieste, Venice and Bologna, are likely to see the most disruption from Friday’s walkout, though major delays and/or cancellations are not to be ruled out elsewhere.
Strikes in Italy don't mean a complete stop to all public transport services.
By law, all public transport companies in Italy are required to provide ‘minimum services’ (servizi essenziali or minimi in Italian) on strike days, with guaranteed services including those for commuters at peak times as well as airport transfer lines, which tend to remain in operation, if on a reduced schedule.
READ ALSO: Should you travel in Italy when there’s a strike on?
The exact services guaranteed to run during a strike will once again vary from city to city.
For instance, Milan’s main public transport operator ATM will run minimum services from midnight to 8.45am and then from 3pm to 6pm.
Overall, if you’re planning to travel on May 26th, you’re strongly advised to check out the planned minimum services from the public transport companies in your city (which are generally published in the news section of their websites).
Taxi services
According to Italy’s transport ministry, taxi services may also be affected by the strike, though it’s not clear at this point to what extent.
Schools
In addition to transport services, schools throughout the country are set to be affected by Friday's action, as Italy's Education Ministry has published a note on its website announcing the strike.
Whether and to what extent individual schools will remain open depends on how many and which staff decide to participate in the action: parents are advised to contact their children's school for confirmation.
You can keep up to date with the latest strike news from Italy HERE.
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