The commuters committee at Radiocolonna: we asked for a discussion with the Lazio Region, Astral and Cotral
Crowds, missed journeys and trains without bathrooms and air conditioning. This is the picture offered at the beginning of this estate 2024 from the Rome-Civita Castellana-Viterbothe line that connects Rome with Tuscia. The photos and stories of the commuters who crowd the line from Montebello to Flaminio every day bear witness to this. And it is precisely from Flaminio that at the beginning of the week images arrived that sparked anger and controversy among the users:
A full-blown stagecoach raid, caused – among other things – by cancelled journeys which force many passengers to wait for long periods and travel in convoys packed to the brim.
The company is always there to collect complaints and consult institutional and company leaders Commuters Committee Rome Norththe group led by Fabrizio Bonanni who not only does not go on holiday, but relaunches Radiocolonna a question that a few months from 2025 is starting to become very topical: what will happen during the Jubilee?
“Despite the reduced travel timetable being in force, the situation appears to be worsening, especially on the urban route – Bonanni tells Radiocolonna – we currently have 12 trains available, most without air conditioning or bathrooms on board. One can only imagine the situation experienced inside the vehicles.”
Bonanni then refers to the great event that will take place in a few months: the Jubilee.
“In recent weeks we have witnessed pitiful scenes, with commuters crowded on the platforms and trying to catch an overcrowded train like at the beginning of the week in Flaminius, when three runs in a row were missed. There is a real risk of social tension, especially at the Flaminio and Montebello terminus where users pay a ticket which should soon increase even without knowing if they will be able to return home – this is the outburst of the president of the committee – we are at the gates of the Jubilee and we we ask: what will happen when workers, students and pilgrims ride the railway at the same time? Montebello is not receptive now, let alone when the extra-urban route closes and when the Holy Year begins. We have asked for an urgent dialogue with the Lazio Region, Cotral and Astral and we are awaiting responses”.
