Start Romagna workers announce strike following driver assault

Transport workers at Start Romagna have announced a 24-hour strike scheduled for Friday, October 9, across the Rimini, Forlì-Cesena, and Ravenna service areas. The industrial action follows an assault on October 5 in Rimini, where a driver on line 9 was attacked, resulting in a 20-day medical prognosis.

Five major trade unions—Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl, Faisa Cisal, Usb Lavoro Privato, and Ugl Autoferro—are calling for immediate safety improvements. They highlighted a pattern of violence on both urban and extra-urban lines and criticized the company for operating buses that still lack protective driver partitions. Unions argue that current measures are insufficient to protect drivers, inspectors, and passengers.

Start Romagna President Andrea Corsini expressed solidarity with the victim and confirmed that the company has filed a formal complaint and provided onboard footage to law enforcement. While acknowledging the legitimacy of the strike, Corsini defended the company against claims of inaction, stating that investments in technology and driver protection are ongoing and that the company is working to accelerate the installation of protective barriers.