Rome, January 22nd – A four-hour strike by ATAC personnel is scheduled for tonight, from 8 PM to midnight. The industrial action, called by unions Cgil, Cisl, Uil, Ugl, Usb, and Orsa, comes in response to a recent incident where a bus was targeted by gunfire and stone-throwing.
Bus Services at Risk, Metro and Termini-Centocelle Lines Regular
The strike is expected to cause potential disruptions and cancellations for surface bus services. However, lines A, B/B1, and C of the metropolitan railway, the Termini-Centocelle line, and subcontracted lines 021-043-075-113-246-246P-500-551-669-772 will operate as normal. This information was released by Roma Servizi per la Mobilità.
Unions Demand Action After Bus Attack
The decision to strike follows a serious incident on the evening of January 21st, when an bus on line 46B in Torrevecchia was hit by gunfire and stone-throwing. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the unions have expressed grave concerns about the safety of both personnel and passengers.
“We express concern for what happened yesterday evening on two buses of line 46B, which were subjected to stone-throwing and gunshots at human height: luckily and by pure chance no one was injured, but we cannot stand still any longer, everything possible must be done to guarantee the safety of personnel and passengers,” declared Filt-Cgil Roma e Lazio, Fit Cisl Lazio, Uil Trasporti Lazio and Ugl Fna Roma e Lazio in a joint statement.
Call for Suspension of Services in High-Risk Areas
The unions emphasized the severity of the incidents, stating that “the seriousness of the events that occurred requires the utmost attention from everyone, in a common effort aimed at elaborating the best possible responses.”
Specifically, and immediately, they are demanding the suspension of bus transit in high-risk areas until clarity is established and adequate guarantees are provided that such incidents will not be repeated. This measure aims to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers in vulnerable zones.
Wider Implications for Public Transport Safety
This strike highlights growing concerns over the safety of public transport workers and users in Rome. The unions’ firm stance underscores the need for immediate and effective solutions to prevent future occurrences of violence and ensure a secure environment for everyone utilizing and operating the city’s public transportation network.
The incident on line 46B serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by public transport operators and the critical importance of addressing safety issues proactively. The unions’ demands for concrete measures reflect a broader call for improved security protocols and increased protection for those who keep the city moving.
The city’s authorities are now under pressure to respond to these demands and work with the unions to implement solutions that will restore confidence in the safety of Rome’s public transport system. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in shaping the future of urban mobility in the capital.
Source: roma.corriere.it
