Wondering if someone could help me interpret the info listed about train strikes May 16-17. I am trying to figure out if the listed strikes are involving passenger trains and will be a potential issue for us. Looks like "rail goods" and something about "staff of companies carrying out railway activities". We will be traveling from Rome to Siena the 17th. Might go through Orvieto, but might also go to Bologna and then Imola to check out the F1 race weekend stuff prior to heading to Siena. If the trains are an issue, we will look at buses, etc. and just go directly to Siena to minimize hassle. Thanks for any help.
Posted by
30 posts
Good info here:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/train-strike-may-19-getting-from-ct-to-venice
It's for passenger rail. Also possibility it may not happen. I plan to chat with TrenItalia in early May to see. Per others, you may be able to book on Italo, private train co.
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
656 posts
Imola isn't on the high speed line so Italo can't help with that. Too soon to be sure about the strike right now... I think there is another national strike planned before this one.
Posted by
OP
Rock Hill, SC
10 posts
Thank you so much for the information! I will cross my fingers that this one is canceled. Will that be posted on the same Scioperi website? Also, would the Flixbus be affected by the strike on the 16/17th? I am thinking maybe get tickets on a bus to Siena is a back-up/insurance just in case. I warned my son that Imola may have to wait until the Saturday if the strike happens. He is sad because he isn't sure we'll still be able to get tickets (for the race stuff) if we wait. It's tough being 22...
Posted by
Riverside, CA
21 posts
@hbuckley: Where do you see/find this? "the info listed about train strikes May 16-17"
Posted by
OP
Rock Hill, SC
10 posts
I found the information on the website someone else had posted: https://scioperi.mit.gov.it/mit2/public/scioperi
Posted by
OP
Rock Hill, SC
10 posts
Just adding, I spoke with Trenitalia US by phone yesterday and was told that the May 16-17 strike is not involving passenger trains, only those transporting goods. The lady said that there is typically only 1 nationwide passenger train strike monthly and that is the one on the 19th in May. Hope that helps others.
Posted by
Arizona
23 posts
We have tickets on Trenatalia on May 19th. Our train is currently not listed as a guaranteed train . Our travel agent is suggesting we wait awhile before making secondary plans. Do you suggest we try to book on Italio or guaranteed train on Trenatalia? We are going from Naples to Florence on the 12:40 express train. Thanks in advance for your advice on this.
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
815 posts
@Anne if you want to solicit advice you should probably start your own thread, but it looks like the 9584 one hour earlier and the 9420 at 11:09 are guaranteed.
The guaranteed trains through June 8th are here:
https://www.trenitalia.com/content/dam/tcom/allegati/trenitalia_2014/informazioni/TABELLA_A_Treni_garantiti_DPLH.pdf
My experience last year in taking the last guarantee train from Verona to Venice in the middle of a huge nationwide strike was that it was a bit late and seemed be running a bit slow but we got there.
May the odds be ever in your favor,
=Tod
Posted by
Arizona
23 posts
Thanks Tod. I will move up to guaranteed train.
Posted by
New Jersey
200 posts
hbuckley, thanks so much for posting the update directly from the horse's mouth at Trenitalia. I had some concern about this date as well but my Rome hotel told me not to worry -- that the May 16/17 strike pertained ONLY to cargo. Your confirmation of this from Trenitalia is doubly reassuring. Also, it is interesting to note that the Trenitalia representative explained that there is usually only one national passenger strike per month.