Milan commuters face further travel disruptions as labor actions continue to mount across the region’s public transportation network. Following recent strikes impacting national rail operator FS Italiane, both city bus and metro services operated by ATM are slated for a 24-hour work stoppage on January 15th, compounded by a separate rail strike affecting Trenord services begining January 12th. The planned actions reflect ongoing disputes over the future of public transit in Milan, including concerns about privatization and large-scale infrastructure projects like the “Milano Next” overhaul.
Milan, January 10, 2026 – Labor unrest is escalating in Milan, with potential disruptions to both regional rail and city transportation services already this month. Following strikes impacting FS Italiane personnel on January 9th and 10th, further action is planned that could affect commuters and the broader regional economy.
Upcoming Strike at ATM
The city’s public transportation operator, ATM, announced that its workers will participate in a 24-hour strike on January 15th, organized by the AL Cobas union. The action stems from concerns over potential privatization and restructuring of the company, according to a statement released by ATM.
AL Cobas cited opposition to the “liberalization, privatization, financialization and tendering of services currently managed by the ATM Group” as key drivers for the strike. The union is also demanding the “reinternalization” of outsourced transportation services in Milan and surrounding areas. Further, the union is protesting the ‘Milano Next’ project, which would transform ATM SpA into a municipal company and potentially lead to direct, in-house service contracts, as well as advocating for fare-free public transport.
Service Disruptions Expected
ATM stated that service disruptions are expected between 8:45 AM and 3:15 PM, and again from 6:00 PM until the end of service on January 15th. This will impact both surface lines and the city’s metro system. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between labor groups and municipal authorities regarding the future of public services.
In addition to the ATM strike, Trenord rail services will be affected by a strike called by the Orsa union between January 12th and January 13th, 2026. These overlapping labor actions are likely to create significant challenges for commuters and businesses in the Milan metropolitan area.
