31 March and 1 April are expected to be two bad days for commuters in Rome unless industrial action by public transport unions is called off at the last moment.

On 31 March there is a strike of regional transport outside the city. Cotral buses will not be operating from 08.30-17.00 and again from 20.00 to the end of the daily service.

On 1 April there is a strike of all local urban public transport services. In Rome this will affect buses, trams, the metro and regional trains to Lido Ostia, Giardinetti and Viterbo. Strike action is from 08.30-17.00 and from 20.00 to the end of service.

A similar local transport strike was suspended on 11 March at the last moment by some of the unions but transport within the city was badly disrupted because of the unpredictability of the service.

The industrial dispute involves public transport staff such as drivers, ticket sellers and inspectors but excludes porters, telephone operators and security services. On 1 April commuters are guaranteed services between 06.00-09.00 and 18.00-21.00. For more information see www.atac.roma.it, tel. 0657003 or go to the information booths at Termini station, Fiumicino airport or the bus terminals at Laurentina, Aurelia and Ponte Mammolo stations.

In addition, the national train authority Ferrovie dello Stato has advised that from 21.00 on 31 March until 21.00 on 1 April, cancellations and travel restrictions are possible on national rail routes, but that it will compensate for the disruptions by providing extra regional services from Rome between 06.00-09.00 and from 18.00-21.00, while substitute coaches are planned to take the place of the Leonardo Express train to Fiumicino airport. For more information see www.ferroviedellostato.it or tel. 800892021.