Can anyone recommend a private transfer service?

The only issue is parking. Some have mentioned parking in La Spezia at a garage.
I checked trains to Genoa, but that looks about three hours and I'd deal with parking over that.

The schedule for regional trains has not been completely loaded beyond late April. So you are looking at incomplete information.

So just wait a bit.

valadelphia, our hotel also recommended parking in the garage in La Spezia if we have a car. So that could be an option.

WengenK, someone on TA who is from Italy seems quite certain that there will be no direct trains from Parma to La Spezia from late April to May 31 due to works on that route. I hope that person is wrong and that you are right. I won't make any hasty decisions yet, and I will keep checking.

If you do decide on a private transfer, we had a very good experience with Find Transfers:

https://www.findtransfers.com/

It is a British company that puts requests for transfers out to bid with local services, then sends you the bids. You can view the websites, etc. and are in direct contact with the company you choose.

someone on TA who is from Italy seems quite certain that there will be
no direct trains from Parma to La Spezia from late April to May 31 due
to works on that route.

That is possible. In that case often some alternative is set up. In Italy what the alternative schedule is going to be is often only known till close to the date.
So again, just wait a bit.

Wengen, do you mean that Trenitalia sets up an alternative schedule or other means of transportation? I know that currently they are showing trains that take 5 hours and that include 2 stops. These trains are routed through Bologna and Florence, and then to La Spezia. Could this be their alternative solution?

I won't make any hasty decisions. But in the meantime I would appreciate it very much if people can recommend some reliable private car services. I contacted a taxi company in Parma, and I am waiting to hear back from them. I feel more comfortable having a back-up plan in place.

Lola, thank you for the Find Transfers link. I will be sure to check them out.

Karen,
We’re wrestling with the same idea of a car transfer vs. other means. When you consider that your trip will be about two hours there and two hours back for the driver and gas is about $7 a gallon in Italy, maybe it’s not so outrageous.

rickrack, are you considering private drivers in Italy? If you find a company you are happy with, can you please let me know? I would appreciate that.

I have emailed Find Transfers (the company that Lola recommended) and I am waiting to hear back from them.

Keep in mind that when you use a third party like DayTrip, there's an extra layer of cost on top of what the driver would charge you if you could make contact with him directly.

Thanks, AC
I wasn’t aware that Daytrip was third party. What about Transferro - know anything about them? Both of these run about €440 FCO to Siena. All others I’ve looked at are higher which now makes me suspicious of them both!

From April 29th to June 8th trains will be suspended between Pontremoli and Berceto; four bridges need serious maintenance. Trains will be suspendend also on the April 13th/14th weekend, and some trains after mid April will be cancelled in working days. Bus substitutions available, but capacity of buses is much less than the capacity of trains.

We are considering a private transfer service from door to door. I looked up DayTrip and that would cost us between $460 - $500 which seems very steep

How many people?

When one considers the driver has to drive 250+ km . pay tolls and takes 4-5 hrs of his time ( round trip for him), the cost you mention is not surprising

Renting a car for 3 extra days, paying fuel, tolls and parking and wondering if it will get damaged in the parking garage, is not an alternative I would put high on my list of options.