The upcoming public transportation strike in Milan has been confirmed: on Friday, October 9, the ATM metro, trams, and buses may be out of service for 24 hours. Service will be guaranteed only from the start of service until 8:45 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while Trenord and Passante trains will run as usual.
Getting to the office early is one thing; getting home after an aperitif is another story. The protest is organized by Al Cobas and Confial Trasporti, and among the reasons is a lost soccer match in Denmark.
Public transportation strike, guaranteed service times: what’s happening on the subway, trams, and buses
The two guaranteed service periods are those established for every ATM strike. Outside those hours, everything depends on how many workers participate: the five metro lines, from M1 to M5, could shut down completely or operate intermittently. The same applies to trams and buses.
Why the strike: service cuts and the Copenhagen Metro
According to Al Cobas, more than 30% of surface transit routes have been cut in the city in recent years, partly due to a shortage of drivers. Meanwhile, according to the union, the financial conditions of tram drivers continue to worsen.
Then there’s Denmark. ATM has just lost the contract to operate the Copenhagen Metro, which it had managed for nearly twenty years: a contract worth approximately 2.2 billion euros, awarded to a French-Singaporean consortium.
For the union, the company emerges weakened right on the eve of the bid for Milan’s public transportation system, expected in 2027.
On October 9, protests will take place on Viale Sarca and Via Messina
The striking unions have announced two picket lines for the second Friday in October: in front of the ATM offices on Viale Sarca, in Bicocca, and on Via Messina, just a short walk from Paolo Sarpi.
If you live or work in that area, expect a little more traffic.
Plan B relies on the Passante
No Trenord strike on October 9: regional trains and S-line trains will run on schedule. The Passante thus becomes the backup metro line. From Rogoredo to Porta Vittoria, from Repubblica to Garibaldi all the way to Bovisa, it covers a good chunk of the city. For the rest, there are BikeMi bikes, shared kick scooters, and shared scooters.
Mark your calendars for another Friday with an early game. Among the strikes in Milan and Lombardy is also October 2, when a nationwide, multi-sector strike will put train service at risk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday night: concerts, aperitifs, and airports
For the second weekend in October, there are no guaranteed services after 6 p.m., and October 9 will be a busy evening.
- Assago Forum: Kid Yugi is there, drawing thousands of people. The most convenient way to get there is the M2 line, so anyone with a ticket would be wise to plan a round trip by car or taxi.
- Teatro degli Arcimboldi, in Bicocca: Brunori Sas is on stage. Nearby is the Greco Pirelli station, served by Trenord trains.
- Whether it’san aperitif at Darsena or dinner on the other side of town: plan your return trip in advance, or factor in taxis and ride-sharing services, which will be in high demand that evening.
Keep an eye on flights, too. The M4 line, the direct connection to Linate, is included in the strike. For Malpensa, however, there are no issues: the Malpensa Express is operated by Trenord and departs regularly from Cadorna and Centrale.
