Italian commuters hit by transport strike

This woman, however, says she encounters problems like these on a daily basis.

Walking or driving a scooter or “motorino” is another option. But they don't help solve the public transportation woes Italy is currently facing.

A national transportation strike not only crippled services in Rome but also in several other cities across the country. Trams, buses, metro and even a few commuter trains will be affected by the worker's 24-hour strike - Now, it's up to officials to patch up the cracks and resolve the ongoing issues.

The government has been searching for ways to improve public transportation for quite some time now - but budget cuts were necessary to curb difficult financial times, and they have had an impact on unemployment and company funding. He is a member of a special commission in Parliament that aims to find a solution - He says the answer lies in a regional restructuration program known as “Federalism”.

Roberto Cortese is a representative of the USB labour Union .An organization he, himself, founded some 22 years ago.

He has been a witness to many changes in Italy's transportation sector. And over time, he says, it is more apparent that Italy has lost its public service culture.

And federalism would just be another step in that direction.

In Rome and Venice alone it was a g­­reat success for the USB Labour Union.

According to representatives, 70 and nearly 100 per cent of union members respectively adhered to Wednesday's public transportation strike

And while it was day for progress for workers' rights and the Italian federalism question. It sure wasn't one for many travelers stuck in the middle of the conflict.