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.
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.
Per l'intera giornata di oggi è previsto uno #sciopero nazionale dei lavoratori autoferrotranvieri.
🚌 I #bus #Tper non sono garantiti fino alle 16.30 e dalle 19.30 a fine servizio.
ℹ️ https://t.co/DxvZpeSkgv#Bologna
— Comune di Bologna (@comunebologna) September 18, 2023
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.
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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.
Per l'intera giornata di oggi è previsto uno #sciopero nazionale dei lavoratori autoferrotranvieri.
— Comune di Bologna (@comunebologna) September 18, 2023
🚌 I #bus #Tper non sono garantiti fino alle 16.30 e dalle 19.30 a fine servizio.
ℹ️ https://t.co/DxvZpeSkgv#Bologna
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.
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