Italy hit by massive transport strike

Real Alternative News | People wait at a stop as a tram with writing reading "not in service" passes by, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.26, 2011, after unions staged a nation-wide public transport strike. A nationwide public transportation strike in Italy has halted buses, subways and ferries and forced commuters to scramble to get to work.

There was chaos and heavy traffic in Rome and major Italian cities on Wednesday after a 24-hour public transportation strike once again paralyzed commuters, travelers and tourists in the Italian capital, the Associated Press reported.

The walkout was called by unions in a show of protest to proposed cuts in funding for public transport in the government's austerity budget.

Times of the strike varied from city to city. Unions agreed to maintain some service during the rush hours, but subway services in Rome and Milan were hard hit while ferries were affected in Venice.

The transport closures were the most extensive seen in Italy in recent years.

In December, clashes broke out in Milan between Italian police forces and demonstrators protesting against proposed budget cuts in arts and education.

The clashes erupted when the police attacked students present at the demonstration that came in reaction to a planned 37 percent reduction in performing arts subsidies.