Anticipated Impact of Italy's Nationwide Rail Strike on Tuesday's Transportation Services

Heads Up, Italy: Train Strikes Temporarily Ground Service on May 6th* Drop a comment

brace yourself, train travelers, for potential rail chaos on Tuesday, May 6th, as Italian state-owned operator Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) employees participate in an eight-hour strike. Here's what you need to know if you're planning a journey.

Train passengers in Italy can expect trains to slow down or be cancelled altogether on Tuesday as employees at FS—including Trenitalia, Trenord, and Trenitalia Tper—step off the rails from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The staff walkout comes after discussions between trade unions, such as Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, and Uiltrasporti, and the transport ministry over the renewal of collective labor agreements within the rail sector fell short.

Filt Cgil reasoned last week that "no agreement aligning with trade unions' demands has been found yet." The union maintains that the strike is "necessary" to "protect the dignity of work, [workers'] safety, and the future of the Italian railway sector."

These labor agreements have been expired since December 2023 according to union statements.

The disruption is likely to impact long-distance, regional, and commuter lines, with the impact varying by location.

READ ALSO: KNOW WHEN TO HIT THE RAILS: TRANSPORT STRIKES TO EXPECT IN ITALY IN MAY 2025

Under Italian public transport regulations, rail operators are compelled to maintain a minimum level of service during strikes on weekdays.

Let's dive into the specifics for each main rail operator and the guaranteed services they'll provide.

Trenitalia

National operator, Trenitalia, announced in a statement that its services might experience cancellations or changes due to the strike. Essential long-distance train services will still operate; these details can be found here.

For their regional train network, guaranteed services will be offered during the following windows: from 6 AM to 9 AM and from 6 PM to 9 PM. You can find detailed information about essential services in each Italian region on Trenitalia's website.

Passengers holding Intercity or Frecce tickets for Tuesday can cancel their trips and receive refunds until the scheduled departure time. Regional train ticket holders must submit their refund requests by midnight on Monday, May 5th.

Travelers are encouraged to check their journey's status before setting off. You can do so via the Infomobilità section of the operator's website or mobile app, or by calling 800 89 20 21 (toll-free number).

Trenord

Trenord, which provides services in Lombardy including connections to Malpensa Airport, stated that the strike could affect regional, suburban, airport, and long-distance journeys. Services scheduled during the following hours won’t be impacted - 6 AM to 9 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM. Journeys scheduled to leave by 9:01 AM and arrive before 10 AM will not be affected, either.

Should airport link services be cancelled, replacement buses are scheduled to run between Milan Cadorna (Via Paleocapa 1) and Malpensa Airport, and between Stabio and Malpensa Airport.

For the latest updates, see Trenord's website, mobile app, or contact their support center at 02 72 49 49 49.

Trenitalia Tper

Trenitalia Tper, operating regional trains in northeastern Emilia Romagna, may face schedule disruptions or cancellations due to the strike. The operator will ensure a minimum level of service during the following time slots: from 6 AM to 9 AM and from 6 PM to 9 PM. You can find a complete list of guaranteed train journeys here.

Italo

Unlike Trenitalia, private long-distance operator Italo should remain unaffected by the strike, according to the latest reports.

What's the deal with rail strikes in Italy?

Italian rail strikes aren't unheard of, but not all lead to significant disruptions for travelers. The severity of disruption depends on the number of workers participating in the walkout. Nationwide protests, supported by major trade unions, often have the best chance of causing widespread delays or cancellations since they typically represent more workers compared to smaller regional unions. Even in these situations, essential services are usually maintained during peak travel times.

What should I do if my train is cancelled?

If your pre-booked train service is cancelled as a result of the strike, passengers are generally allowed to travel on alternative services or can request a refund. Check out our separate article for more details on seeking a refund from Italy's two major train operators Trenitalia and Italo.

Stay informed with the latest updates in our strike news section.

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The Italian state-owned operator Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) employees are planning a train strike on May 6th, potentially causing rail chaos.
The strike comes after discussions over renewing collective labor agreements within the rail sector fell short between trade unions and the transport ministry.
FS includes the brands Trenitalia, Trenord, and Trenitalia Tper, and their services may experience cancellations or changes.
Essential long-distance train services will still operate from Trenitalia, but regional train networks might face disruptions or cancellations.
Trenitalia's regional train network will provide guaranteed services during specific windows: from 6 AM to 9 AM and from 6 PM to 9 PM.
Passengers holding Intercity or Frecce tickets for Tuesday can cancel their trips and receive refunds until the scheduled departure time.
Travelers are encouraged to check their journey's status before setting off, as this disruption is likely to impact long-distance, regional, and commuter lines.
The economy and finance industries may face disruption due to the train strike, as transportation plays a crucial role in Italy's transportation system.
It is essential to know the Italian labor laws for rail strikes, as they compel rail operators to maintain a minimum level of service during strikes on weekdays.

Anticipated Impact of Italy's Nationwide Rail Strike on Tuesday's Transportation Services