On February 24, 2023, commuters in Rome faced significant disruptions to public transportation as the city experienced a 24-hour strike affecting the Atac network. The strike, which was scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM, impacts buses, trams, and various metro lines, including the full closure of Metro C.
According to Atac, the public transportation service is expected to see various interruptions during the day, particularly for the hours between 8:30 AM and 4:59 PM, and from 8:00 PM until the end of the service. The usual "guarantee bands" where some service is maintained will run until 8:30 AM and then from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The metro lines A and B were reported to be partially operational, with line C completely shut. Specific stations on line A, including Spagna, Ponte Lungo, and Baldo degli Ubaldi, were also closed due to the strike. Meanwhile, lines B and B1 were running but might also experience delays according to the latest updates from Atac.
This strike stems from the unions' frustrations over the lack of response to their request for negotiations concerning the renewal of the national collective bargaining agreement for transport workers, which expired recently. Union representatives stated, "The main reasons behind the strike are due to the absence of acknowledgment of our demand for negotiations on the renewal of the Autoferrotranvieri Internavigatori collective agreement 2024/2027 as per Article 3, paragraph 2 of the previous agreement dated November 28, 2018."
During the day, disruptions were anticipated across the Cotral bus services, which also participate in the strike. Like Atac, Cotral outlined guaranteed service times aimed at minimizing inconvenience to commuters, which would be operational until 8:29 AM and then again from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Commuters were advised to plan their journeys carefully, taking the potential disruptions and service limitations caused by the strike. The impact would be felt across not just the metropolitan transport system but also for those relying on longer-distance Cotral bus routes serving the Lazio region.
The early hours of the strike confirmed the major disruptions to various public transport schedules. Metro C faced complete closure joined with the halt of the Termini-Centocelle tram line for maintenance, raising concerns about the convenience of getting around the city.
The unions involved have showcased significant organization, with various groups including Usb and Orsa ringing alarm bells over the lack of dialogue and acknowledgment from authorities. An example of their organized strategy was evident as commuters were warned well before the initiation of the strike to prepare for increased difficulty utilizing public transport services.
Transportation authorities remained resolute to inform the public, encouraging them to stay updated via Atac's real-time operational alerts, though with the disruption reports, it remained difficult for many patrons to rely on schedules during the strike.
The unions' statements highlight broader issues surrounding labor negotiations and public service employment conditions, underscoring the unresolved impact multiple strikes have on daily commuters, particularly when many still depend heavily on public transport for work and other obligations.
Moving forward, as the day progressed with the strike, commuters were encouraged to share their experiences and challenges faced due to the service disruptions, especially as this strike grows out of frustrations over poor labor relations and proactive political dialogue.