On 29 September, national strike will disrupt public transport in Rome and Milan

Other big Italian cities will also be affected by the labour dispute so plan your day accordingly

It looks like the month of September has shaped to be a month of strikes in Italy, as a new 24-hour national labour protest action is set to sweep over major cities in the country on 29 September. That industrial dispute is led by the USB trade union, which represents the rights of public transport workers.

What this means is that all modes of public transport in cities like Rome and Milan, including buses, trams and metro will be affected and will be performed irregularly during most hours of the day and night.

In Rome, where the Ryder Cup golf tournament is set to begin on the very same day, the strike will disrupt ATAC and Roma TPL services from 08.30 to 17.00 and from 20.00 until the end of services.

Taking place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club from 25 September to 1 October, the Ryder Cup comes to Italy for the first time in its almost 100-year history.

That’s why the city is expecting larger than usual crowds to descend on its streets. Outside of the strike hours, there will be, in fact, increased services of metro trains on Line B, while its extension – B1 – will be closed and serviced by shuttles from 28 September until 1 October.

Similarly, Milan will experience mobility services disruptions on its ATM network. Expect the disruptions to the scheduled services to be in the time slots 8:45-15:00 and again after 18:00.

The Lake Como-Brunate funicular could also be impacted from 8:30 to 16:30, and again after 19:30.

Reasons for the strike

Residents and guests to the Italian cities are advised to plan accordingly their mobility needs on 29 September and to consult notifications from the local public transit operators.

That being said, it is also good to show understanding and solidarity with the demands of the workers carrying out these important services.

Reasons for the strike include demands for better pay and increased safety in the workplace.

Edit: On Wednesday morning, Italy's transport minister Matteo Salvini intervened by announcing that the national strike on 29 September will be reduced from 24 to 4 hours. Following the government's intervention, the trade union then decided to postpone the national strike to 9 October, still with the aim of it taking place over 24 hours.