Rome’s public-transport network ground to a crawl on Tuesday, 9 December, as members of the OSR SUL union staged a 24-hour strike demanding higher pay and stronger safety protocols for drivers. City operator ATAC warned passengers of cancellations from 08:30–17:00 and again from 20:00 to end-of-service. Only the legally mandated fasce di garanzia (guaranteed slots) protected commuters during the morning and evening peaks.
The walk-out affected buses, trams and all three metro lines, though suburban trains run by Trenitalia operated normally. ATAC listed two dozen subcontracted bus routes that continued, but night buses and several day lines scheduled past midnight were suspended.
![24-Hour Transport Strike Disrupts Commuters Across Rome]()
For business travellers and mobile employees, the strike caused missed meetings and forced detours via taxis or e-scooters. Companies with time-critical operations near Fiumicino and Ciampino airports reported delays when staff could not connect from Termini station.
Under Italian law, unions must give minimum notice for transport strikes; December is traditionally strike-heavy as labour groups leverage holiday travel to win concessions. Mobility managers should therefore build December contingency plans, advising assignees to schedule meetings outside strike windows or arrange remote work.
Looking ahead, the transport-ministry strike calendar flags further actions on 12 December. Employers should brief travellers, pre-book hotel nights near offices and budget for surge-priced ride-hailing during service gaps.
The walk-out affected buses, trams and all three metro lines, though suburban trains run by Trenitalia operated normally. ATAC listed two dozen subcontracted bus routes that continued, but night buses and several day lines scheduled past midnight were suspended.
For business travellers and mobile employees, the strike caused missed meetings and forced detours via taxis or e-scooters. Companies with time-critical operations near Fiumicino and Ciampino airports reported delays when staff could not connect from Termini station.
Under Italian law, unions must give minimum notice for transport strikes; December is traditionally strike-heavy as labour groups leverage holiday travel to win concessions. Mobility managers should therefore build December contingency plans, advising assignees to schedule meetings outside strike windows or arrange remote work.
Looking ahead, the transport-ministry strike calendar flags further actions on 12 December. Employers should brief travellers, pre-book hotel nights near offices and budget for surge-priced ride-hailing during service gaps.
