Adding to a packed week of industrial action, unions representing drivers and depot workers across the Marche region have called a 24-hour strike for Wednesday, 23 September. The stoppage will involve urban and intercity operators such as Adriabus, Start and ATMA, potentially disrupting connectivity between the manufacturing hubs of Ancona, Pesaro and Macerata. Service guarantees are limited to two windows: start of service until 08:30 and 17:00-20:00. Outside these times, buses could be cancelled without notice, and real-time apps may not be updated if control-room staff join the strike. The Port of Ancona, a key Adriatic ferry gateway, warned trucking companies to expect delays in port-city shuttles that move crew and supplies between the terminals and logistics parks. Employers in the region’s shoe and furniture clusters have raised concern that transport unreliability could hurt productivity and jeopardise just-in-time export schedules. Several multinationals are arranging charter coaches to shuttle shift workers from outlying towns. The Marche action is officially linked to wage negotiations, but union leaders also criticise planned liberalisation measures that would open regional routes to competitive tender in 2027. They argue that without clear protections on pay parity and route coverage, liberalisation could hollow out services in rural areas and deter foreign investment dependent on reliable employee mobility. Travellers with tight schedules on 23 September should consider rental cars or car-share platforms, ensure travel insurance covers ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and keep documentary evidence of disruptions for any subsequent reimbursement claims.
Source: The Local Italy
