Florence, April 9 – Travelers planning to use high-speed rail services between Florence and Rome this weekend should prepare for significant disruptions. Scheduled maintenance work on the high-speed line will halt circulation from midnight between Friday and Saturday until 3:00 PM on Sunday.
Extended Travel Times Expected for Florence-Rome Route
During this period, Frecciarossa and Italo high-speed trains will be diverted onto the conventional rail network, inevitably increasing travel times. A journey from Milan to Rome, which typically takes around three hours, will now require approximately six hours, effectively doubling the normal duration.
To prevent overloading the conventional rail infrastructure, fewer services have been scheduled than usual. RFI (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana) announced that the works are essential for implementing the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), the most advanced European train control system. The maintenance will specifically impact the Orvieto-Settebagni section of the line.
Phased Restoration of Services
Until 2:00 PM on Saturday, the “slow” network will remain operational between Florence and Rome. After this time, trains in both directions will be further diverted onto the Tyrrhenian line, which runs along the Tuscan-Lazio coast.
A gradual restoration of high-speed circulation is anticipated from 3:00 PM on Sunday. However, RFI has specified that the line will not return to full operational capacity until Tuesday morning.
Information for Travelers and Romics Festival Attendees
All sales channels, both online and at ticket offices, have been updated with the revised travel times. Additionally, personnel assistance will be reinforced at major hubs, particularly in anticipation of increased crowds heading to the Fiera di Roma for the Romics festival.
These planned works are part of an ongoing effort to modernize Italy’s rail infrastructure, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency in the long term. While the immediate impact will be felt by travelers, the implementation of ERTMS is crucial for future high-speed rail operations.
Passengers are advised to check their travel plans and consider alternative arrangements if possible. Further updates and detailed information can be found on the official websites of Trenitalia (Frecciarossa) and Italo, as well as RFI.
