Rome, May 18, 2026 – Commuters and football fans in Rome are bracing for a day of significant disruption as a 24-hour transport strike is set to paralyse the city’s public transport network. The strike, called by the USB trade union, will affect metro, bus, tram, and train services across the capital, coinciding with the highly anticipated Derby della Capitale between AS Roma and SS Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
Extensive Disruptions Expected Across ATAC, Cotral, and Trenitalia
The industrial action will impact employees of ATAC (Rome’s municipal public transport company), Cotral (regional bus and railway operator), and Trenitalia (national railway company). For ATAC and Cotral, essential services will be guaranteed during specific hours: from the start of service until 8:29 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:59 PM. Outside these windows, significant cancellations and delays are expected.
The strike will affect the entire ATAC network within Rome, including services operated by sub-contractors like Autoservizi Troiani/Sap, Autoservizi Tuscia/Bis, and Atr, which manage peripheral transport. The ClicBus ATAC on-demand bus service will also be impacted.
Metropolitan stations that remain open during the strike may not guarantee the operation of escalators, elevators, and stairlifts. Ticket office services will also be suspended, although intermodal car parks will remain accessible. Furthermore, with the exception of the Ionio stop, bike boxes located outside metro stations will be unavailable for use.
Cotral services, including bus routes and the Metromare and Roma Nord railways, are also expected to experience variations or cancellations.
Train Services Also Affected
Adding to the city’s transport woes, the railway network will also be subject to strike action. From 9:00 PM on Sunday, May 17, until 8:59 PM on Monday, May 18, Trenitalia services are at risk of cancellations or alterations. For regional Trenitalia transport, essential services will be guaranteed during peak hours on weekdays: from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Derby Impact: Travel Chaos for Football Fans
The timing of the strike is particularly problematic as it coincides with the Derby della Capitale, one of Italy’s most passionate football rivalries. Fans attempting to reach the Stadio Olimpico will face considerable challenges due to the widespread transport disruptions. Even after the strike officially ends at 9:00 PM, a return to normal service levels is expected to take time, further complicating travel for those attending the match.
Reasons Behind the Strike: Wages, Public Services, and International Policy
The USB union has outlined a range of reasons for calling the national strike. Key demands include immediate and structural measures to protect wages and pensions against the rising cost of living, the introduction of automatic adjustment mechanisms, and an adequate contractual minimum wage. The union is also protesting against European and Italian rearmament plans, advocating for resources to be redirected towards essential public services and housing policies.
Additionally, the USB is calling for an end to institutional, economic, scientific, and political relations with the State of Israel, demanding a complete embargo on armaments and ‘dual-use’ technologies.
The strike highlights ongoing tensions between workers and employers over economic conditions and broader political issues, with public transport often serving as a visible arena for such protests.
The city of Rome and its residents are advised to plan their journeys carefully and consider alternative modes of transport for Monday, May 18, 2026, particularly if attending the football derby or needing to travel during peak hours outside the guaranteed service windows.
Source: https://www.romatoday.it/cronaca/sciopero-roma-18-maggio-2026.html
