Milan-Domodossola Railway Works: Commuters Denounce Unacceptable Disruptions
Milan, Lombardy, Italy, June 8, 2026 – The Gallarate-Milan Commuters Committee has formally addressed the Lombardy Region to report ‘serious criticalities’ affecting the Varese-Gallarate and Gallarate-Rho lines. This comes after a weekend of significant disruption marking the beginning of infrastructure works on the Milan-Domodossola railway line. These works, initiated by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), commenced on Sunday, June 7, with the first of two planned railway circulation blocks.
Extensive Infrastructure Upgrades Underway
The programmed interventions by RFI are part of a broader project to quadruple the track between Rho and Parabiago, a stretch of approximately 8 kilometers. This extensive project also includes the construction of a new stop in Nerviano and the refurbishment of the Parabiago station. Additionally, the plans encompass the creation of the ‘Y junction,’ a ground-level connection between the Gallarate-Rho line and the FNM Saronno-Malpensa line. The total value of the project is estimated at around 640 million euros, partly financed by PNRR funds. The primary objectives are to increase line capacity, activate new suburban services, and improve the regularity of railway traffic.
Disrupted Services and Replacement Buses
For the duration of the construction works, the first block of which is scheduled between Sunday, June 7, and Saturday, June 13 (with a second block from June 27 to June 29), Trenitalia’s Regional train services are being split into two sections. Trains originating from the north (Domodossola) will terminate their journeys at Gallarate and Varese, unable to proceed towards Milan. Conversely, trains from the south will stop at Rho station. To ensure travel continuity, a replacement bus service has been arranged. However, the operating company has cautioned that travel times may be extended due to road traffic.
Commuters Committee Highlights ‘Unacceptable’ Issues
Following the initial day of disruption, the Gallarate-Milan Commuters Committee promptly contacted the Lombardy Region to highlight the ‘serious criticalities’ observed since the commencement of RFI’s works. The committee emphasized, ‘In addition to numerous reports from our members concerning skipped stops on both routes, we note a worrying and widespread lack of knowledge of the alternative routes and replacement stops by bus drivers.’
The committee further elaborated on the worsening situation: ‘To this already complex scenario, an official communication from Trenord was added in the afternoon, announcing the suppression of 12 replacement services for the afternoon period alone.’
Call for Urgent Intervention
The commuters expressed their profound concern, stating, ‘While we do not possess the technical tools to meticulously monitor every single cancelled service, it is evident that the replacement service, on this first day, is experiencing unacceptable disruptions that heavily burden commuters, adding to the physiological inconveniences caused by the line closures.’
The committee concluded their appeal to the regional authorities with a plea for swift action: ‘We turn to you in the firm hope of timely intervention by the councilor’s office towards the managing bodies, RFI and Trenord, in order to immediately rectify the criticalities of the mobility plan and limit the inconveniences for the weeks to come.’
The ongoing works are vital for the modernization and enhancement of the regional railway network, aiming to provide a more efficient and reliable service in the long term. However, the immediate impact on daily commuters underscores the need for effective communication, well-prepared alternative transport solutions, and prompt responses to emerging issues to minimize disruption to the thousands of individuals relying on these critical transport links.
Source: https://www.legnanonews.com/aree-geografiche/alto_milanese/2026/06/07/lavori-sulla-linea-ferroviaria-milano-domodossola-la-denuncia-dei-pendolari-disservizi-inaccettabili/1448299/
