Today, the 13th of December, various sectors of Italian public transportation are on strike, leading to significant disruptions. The strike, organized mainly by the transportation union USB, will cause major issues mainly between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Here’s a summary of the key points:
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Train and Public Bus Services: All major train operators, including Trenitalia and Italo, along with most public bus companies, are affected. Some regional train and bus services will be suspended or operate with severe reduction of services. High-speed trains appear to be less impacted.
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Urban Transport: Many urban public transport services, including metro, tram, and bus lines, will be suspended or operate with reduced services in major cities like Rome, Milan, and Turin.
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Taxi and Car Rental: While not fully participating in the strike, some taxi and car rental services may experience delays or difficulties.
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Air Travel: Although not directly affected, passengers are advised to allow extra time at airports due to potential staff shortages and disruption.
- Strike Impact and Political Reactions:
- Disruptions: The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions and inconveniences to commuters, with the peak hours between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM being particularly affected.
- Political Reactions: Italian Minister of Interior, Matteo Salvini, criticized the strike, blaming judges for the chaos, while the USB union stressed that it’s a legitimate exercise of their rights to protest.
Today’s Strike: Buses, Trains, and Taxis Halting – ANSA Agency Report
Rome, Feb 16 – Italy braced for widespread transportation disruptions today as workers across the sector threatened to bring the country to a standstill in an unprecedented day of protest.
Starting from early morning, major bus, train, and taxi services across cities like Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin planned to pause operations for most of the day. The unified action is a protest against the government’s perceived lack of action on workers’ rights, wages, and job insecurity, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bus Services
National bus services like Busitalia and different regional providers announced they would suspend operations from 9 am to 5 pm. In Rome, ATAC, the city’s public transport operator, will halt services except for essential routes, causing significant inconvenience to commuters who rely on public transportation.
Train Services
Italy’s state-owned rail company, Trenitalia, joined the strike, with disruptions planned from 9 am to 1 pm, causing chaos for millions of passengers nationwide. High-speed Frecciarossa and intercity trains were heavily affected, with regional services also seeing major delays and cancellations. Meanwhile, ReggionePuglia, which operates local services in the southern Puglia region, extended its strike to the entire day, exacerbating the travel crisis.
Taxi Services
Taxi drivers in major cities, including Rome and Milan, are also joining the strike. From 10 am to 6 pm, drivers will park their cars in protest against unfair competition from ride-hailing services and the economic downturn due to the pandemic.
Airport Transfers
Even airport transfers are not immune to the disruptions. In Rome, urgent negotiations were underway to avoid strikes at Ciampino and Fiumicino airports. In contrast, at Bergamo’s Orio al Serio airport, staff declared a four-hour strike between noon and 4 pm, causing potential delays and cancellations.
School Services
School bus services are also affected, with some regions like Tuscany and Liguria reporting suspension of all services for the entire day, causing parents to scramble for alternative arrangements.
ANSA Agency Coverage
The ANSA news agency, one of Italy’s leading wire services, is closely monitoring the situation and providing continuous updates on the strike’s impact. ANSA’s transportation correspondents are maintaining round-the-clock coverage, ensuring that the public is well-informed about any changes in service schedules and their respective impacts.
The agency’s English-language service is also keeping international readers informed about the Italian strike, highlighting its significance and offering insights into the workers’ demands. As the day progresses, ANSA will provide real-time updates and news analyses, ensuring that readers stay informed throughout the strike.
With the strike aggression set to continue well into the evening, commuters are advised to check the latest information and plan their journeys accordingly. ANSA remains committed to delivering accurate, up-to-the-minute coverage as the Italian transport sector engages in this day of collective protest.
