Trenitalia to discontinue Smart Carnet travel packages

Trenitalia has announced it will stop selling its ‘Smart Carnet’ travel packages for high-speed trains, including Frecciarossa and Frecciargento, effective November 1. The packages, which offered ten discounted trips within a 30-day period, were designed for commuters and smart workers traveling two or three times a week.

The company stated the decision is intended to optimize seat occupancy and manage train capacity more effectively, noting that unused reservations can prevent other passengers from booking seats. Trenitalia cited changing mobility needs and the reduction of remote work as factors in the decision.

Consumer advocacy groups, such as Movimento Consumatori, have criticized the move, warning it will disproportionately affect students, precarious workers, and commuters on routes like Torino-Milano. Critics argue the change threatens the right to affordable travel. In response to the discontinuation, Trenitalia will allow customers to request full refunds for unused trips within one month of the package's expiration.

Additionally, Trenitalia is introducing a new monthly subscription model for high-speed rail. This new structure includes an 80-euro reduction in the fixed monthly fee but introduces a 2-euro reservation fee for each individual trip taken.