Starting
February 1, regional train prices went up by 20 percent. The hike has been long
overdue, officials said in a recent announcement, but cannot be put off any
longer. A 400-million-euro funding cut to Italy’s public transport system
introduced by the former government headed by Silvio Berlusconi included a 40
million euro reduction to the regional public transport network.
For now, the
fare increase will apply only to single fares, in order to protect commuters
and passholders. However, officials warn that prices may rise for this group in
the future.
While it is a
considerable hike, the 20 percent increase brings Tuscany’s rail fares in line
with those of other regions, and Tuscany’s increase is lower than that of other
regions, such as Liguria, where the increase is 25 percent.
