Italy’s entire rail network was impacted by a 24-hour strike commencing at 9:18 p.m. on September 7, 2026, and ending at 9:00 p.m. the following day, with Italo’s strike concluding slightly later at 9:17 p.m. The walkout involved state-owned Gruppo FS Italiane and its subsidiaries Trenitalia, Trenord, Trenitalia Tper, and the private operator Italo, interrupting services including regional and high-speed trains such as the Frecce routes connecting Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Salerno.
Guaranteed Regional Services and High-Speed Train Disruptions
Regional trains in Italy maintained limited service during the strike, with guaranteed operating hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. on weekdays. These “fasce di garanzia” ensured essential commuter routes, notably around cities like Milan, Rome, Turin, Naples, and Bologna, remained functional during those time windows. In contrast, high-speed Frecce and intercity trains had no guaranteed operating periods and experienced cancellations, delays, or reroutes, with individual carriers publishing lists of trains that would run.
Passenger Impact: Cancellations, Refunds, and Rebooking
Passengers faced widespread disruptions on September 7 and 8, with many trains canceled or delayed, affecting both long-distance and regional travel. Ticket holders were eligible for full refunds on canceled trains, which could be requested via Trenitalia, Italo, and Trenord online forms, entering the ticket
code for reimbursement to the original payment method within days. Refund claims for Frecce and Intercity trains were accepted from strike announcement until train departure, while claims for regional trains had to be submitted by midnight before the strike day. Travelers could alternatively rebook other trains without extra charges, typically up to four hours before departure. Delays alone did not guarantee full refunds but might qualify for partial compensation based on duration.
Strike Support and Reasons Cited by Unions
The strike was organized by railway labor unions including CUB Trasporti, SGB, ORSA Ferrovie, and the Assemblea nazionale del Personale di Macchina e di Bordo. These unions demanded
improvements in wages, shift work conditions, workload reduction, and enhanced safety standards. Trenitalia advised passengers to consult official websites or apps before traveling, as train schedules could change rapidly due to ongoing disruptions.
Regional Protests and Additional September Strikes
Regional protests in Piedmont and Trentino-South Tyrol began the afternoon of September 7, preceding the national strike, impacting local rail services. Public transportation services in South Tyrol were also suspended concurrently with regional rail worker actions. Nationwide, further labor unrest is scheduled with a public transport strike on September 15, aviation strikes on September 13 and 30, and a 24-hour general strike planned for September 26, indicating
ongoing transport sector disruptions throughout the month.
