From 1 August, the increases in the local public transport rates were taken in Calabria, with increases that touch 30%. A measure that impacts heavily on users, in particular on commuters, students and families, already forced to cope with family budgets under pressure.
The alarm is launched by the CSA-Cisal union, through his union manager Gianluca Tedesco, who denounces a sudden and disproportionate increase. Just think that a regional worker who goes to the citadel every day now pays € 5.90 for the return ticket from Lamezia Terme Sant’Eufemia, against the previous € 4.60, with a monthly expenditure ascent from € 101 to € 129 (+27.72%).
It is a short section, as documented in the photos of the previous day and the day following the entry into force of the increases (see attachments).
For those who move from other provinces, the aggravation is even more significant.
“In a context of high inflation, still wages and expired contracts, these increases further aggravate the condition of thousands of citizens”, denounces the union. “In the meantime, the service remains lacking: insufficient runs, inadequate times, old and often late means”.
Particularly serious is the absence of integrated ticketing, promised for years but never built on a large scale. “The commuters continue to have to buy separate securities for each manager, undergoing duplicate costs and complicated paths. It is an anachronistic situation that discourages the use of public transport,” underlines the union.
The comparison with other regions is merciless.
“In many areas of the country, such as Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany or Lombardy, integrated ticketing has been a reality for years, the costs are more low and services are more reliable and accessible.”
In Calabria, however, citizens find themselves paying more for a fragmented and less efficient service: a double disadvantage.
To suffer the worst consequences are not only commuters, but also university students, patients and citizens with the need for daily movement.
“Many are forced to give up medical examinations, training courses or study opportunities.
An injustice that mainly affects the weakest bands, soaring the inequalities “, continues the union.
The union recalls the constitutional principle of equality: “It is not acceptable that a Calabrian citizen should pay more to get less. When a family is forced to choose between a subscription and the essential expenses, the pact between citizen and institutions breaks. The Region cannot remain indifferent”.
The union denounces and returns, once again, on the merciless condition of the commuter workers of the regional citadel of Catanzaro, where the internal stop of buses has been suppressed since December 2023. “For months, workers have been waiting for under the sun or in the rain, without protection, along a dangerous sidewalk.” Still, the regional administration had formalized a written commitment – through a report with the trade union organizations of 18 November 2024 – for the installation of a prefabricated shelter and the construction of a dignified stop. But to date nothing has been done. “
The CSA-Cisal union requests the suspension of the increases in the new rates and the immediate start of a concert table with the Region, which remain an absolute priority to avoid yet another blow to the Calabrian citizens.
Concrete and sustainable measures have already been adopted in other regions, where the increases have been compensated with facilitated formulas for students, low -income workers and large families, recalls the union.
“Also in Calabria it is possible to reconcile economic sustainability and social protection, through targeted gradual and discount policies.”
“Any further postponement – concludes the union – would be unacceptable and would configure a precise omission of institutional responsibility.”