Florence’s public-transport operator Autolinee Toscane warned travellers that a 24-hour company-wide strike on Sunday, 14 June, would disrupt the entire urban bus network. The walk-out, organised by COBAS Lavoro Privato, affects both drivers and ticket-office staff. Guaranteed service windows were limited to 04:15-08:14 and 12:30-14:29, in line with Italian strike legislation.
![24-Hour Bus Strike Hits Florence Urban Network on 14 June]()
For international visitors caught up in the disruption, VisaHQ can help smooth the rest of your journey by expediting any Italian visa extensions, passport renewals or travel-document questions online; visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/ for fast processing and expert guidance.
Although primarily a local issue, Florence is a major gateway for day-trip excursions to Tuscany’s industrial districts and for cruise-line shore transfers arriving at Livorno. Travel-management companies report that some corporate groups headed to Pitti Immagine fashion trade fair opted for private shuttles or ride-sharing apps at double the usual cost. COBAS says the dispute concerns excessive split-shifts, outdated allowances frozen since the lira era, and inadequate maintenance of vehicle air-conditioning—a point of growing importance as summer temperatures push 35 °C. Management points out that only 25 % of staff joined the last 24-hour strike and insists most routes will run outside the protected windows. Visitors planning onward rail or air connections are advised to allow extra time or use the city’s tramway Linea T2, which is operated by a different company and remains unaffected. Employers moving assignees between Florence and nearby Prato or Arezzo should check relocation schedules and consider hotel stays within walking distance of worksites.
For international visitors caught up in the disruption, VisaHQ can help smooth the rest of your journey by expediting any Italian visa extensions, passport renewals or travel-document questions online; visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/ for fast processing and expert guidance.
Although primarily a local issue, Florence is a major gateway for day-trip excursions to Tuscany’s industrial districts and for cruise-line shore transfers arriving at Livorno. Travel-management companies report that some corporate groups headed to Pitti Immagine fashion trade fair opted for private shuttles or ride-sharing apps at double the usual cost. COBAS says the dispute concerns excessive split-shifts, outdated allowances frozen since the lira era, and inadequate maintenance of vehicle air-conditioning—a point of growing importance as summer temperatures push 35 °C. Management points out that only 25 % of staff joined the last 24-hour strike and insists most routes will run outside the protected windows. Visitors planning onward rail or air connections are advised to allow extra time or use the city’s tramway Linea T2, which is operated by a different company and remains unaffected. Employers moving assignees between Florence and nearby Prato or Arezzo should check relocation schedules and consider hotel stays within walking distance of worksites.
