September is getting off to a potentially turbulent start for public transport in Tuscany with a series of strikes scheduled to affect trains, buses and air travel across Florence and the wider region.
Trains
The first major disruption comes on Monday, September 7 and Tuesday, September 8, when railway staff will take part in a nationwide 24-hour strike, the first major rail walkout of the autumn season. The action is due to begin at 9.18pm on Monday, September 7 and will involve train drivers and onboard staff within the FS Group, as well as employees of companies operating in the railway sector, covering both passenger and freight services. The strike has been called by several independent trade unions and could have repercussions for train services throughout Tuscany, including the main routes connecting Florence with other Tuscan cities and the rest of Italy.
Buses
The picture is even more complicated for local public transport with several strikes already scheduled for September 15.
Autolinee Toscane staff in the Florence area are due to stage a 24-hour strike. Also on September 15, Gest staff, responsible for Florence’s tram network, are scheduled to strike for four hours, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. A further 24-hour strike involving Autolinee Toscane staff is scheduled for September 18.
Airports
The disruption will extend to Tuscany’s airports, with airport workers due to walk out on Sunday, September 13. Staff employed by Toscana Aeroporti, GH Toscana and Consulta and operating at Florence and Pisa airports are scheduled to strike for four hours, from 11am to 3pm. Further industrial action by other unions is also expected.
Another nationwide strike is scheduled for September 30, when ENAV air traffic control staff are due to stop work from 1 to 5pm. As the action involves air traffic controllers, it could have knock-on effects on flights arriving at and departing from airports in Tuscany.
For anyone travelling through Florence or Pisa this month, September is shaping up to be a month when checking the status of trains, buses and flights before travelling will be particularly important.
