by InTrieste
A 24-hour nationwide public transportation strike has been announced for Friday, September 20, affecting local transit systems across Italy, including the northeastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The strike, called by the grassroots USB union, is expected to cause widespread disruptions as both traveling staff and administrative personnel will participate.
The strike, which will impact urban and intercity bus services in key areas such as Udine, Trieste, Gorizia, and Pordenone, will span from midnight Thursday, September 19, to midnight Friday, September 20. Commuters are bracing for potential delays and cancellations throughout the region.
Guaranteed Service Windows
While the strike is expected to halt many services, essential routes will still run during specific time windows to mitigate the impact. In most areas, morning and midday services are guaranteed, though these windows vary by location.
In the Udine area, served by Arriva Udine, only connections between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, and again from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, will be operational. In Trieste, urban services run by Trieste Trasporti will adhere to similar time slots, with guaranteed operations from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Commuters in Gorizia, Monfalcone, and Grado—served by APT Gorizia—will also face a full stoppage of urban and intercity services outside the 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM windows.
The situation in Pordenone will follow a similar pattern, with urban services guaranteed from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Intercity routes, however, will run from 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM and from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM, marking a slight deviation in the schedule.
Nationwide Ramifications
The strike, which has been called in protest over working conditions and wages, is expected to reverberate beyond Friuli Venezia Giulia, affecting transit systems across Italy. Local ticket offices may also experience disruptions as non-traveling staff participate in the walkout.
Public transit unions in Italy have a long history of organizing large-scale strikes, particularly over disputes involving labor rights and compensation. The September 20 action, led by the USB union, is part of a broader movement to demand better working conditions for employees across various sectors of public transportation, including drivers, maintenance workers, and administrative personnel.
Commuter Concerns
For those relying on public transport, the looming strike has raised concerns about how best to navigate the workday. Many commuters in Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region known for its extensive public transit network, have voiced frustrations over potential delays and the impact on daily routines. Some have turned to carpooling or other alternative means of transportation in anticipation of the disruptions.
As the date approaches, local authorities are urging travelers to plan ahead and make use of the guaranteed service windows where possible. However, with essential services only running for a few hours in the morning and afternoon, many workers and students may find themselves scrambling for alternatives.
The strike is set to begin early on Friday, September 20, and will officially conclude at 2:00 AM on Saturday, September 21.
