by InTrieste
In a surprising reversal, Trenitalia, the prominent Italian rail operator, has opted to retract its plans to implement stringent luggage restrictions on its high-speed Frecce trains, just hours before they were slated to take effect on March 1st.
The proposed regulations, which included a strict two-bag limit for passengers and the imposition of a €50 fine for non-compliance, had sparked considerable backlash from consumer advocacy groups following their announcement a day prior.
Responding to mounting pressure, Trenitalia announced its decision to suspend the enforcement of these regulations, citing feedback from consumer associations as a key factor in its about-face.
Gabriele Melluso, president of consumer association Assoutenti, lauded Trenitalia’s move, hailing it as a step in the right direction pending further discussions scheduled for March 6th.
Andrea Casu, a member of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) and the parliamentary transport committee, echoed this sentiment, criticizing the proposed measures as akin to the “Ryanair model” and expressing relief at their abandonment.
Casu further asserted that the implementation of these regulations would have resulted in heightened costs and inefficiencies for travelers, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the sudden reversal.
