Train ferries to Sicily being discontinued

[CHamilton]

Trenitalia cuts Sicily train ferries

TRENITALIA has announced plans to remove two of its train ferries from the Straits of Messina, which will result in the loss of its daytime inter-city services from the Sicilian cities of Palermo and Siracuse to Naples and Rome, and the overnight service to Milan.


Trenitalia says it will save €46m per year by cutting the services which will result in around 100 job losses. The changes are due to take place in June and will leave only one overnight sleeper service between Rome and Sicily with passengers forced to change from the train to the ferry and to a different train following the crossing. Currently passengers can travel in the same rail vehicle across the short sea crossing four times every day.

 

[Long Train Runnin']

What a shame. I was out that way in October. I rode from Catania to Messina on a local train which was rather short and not very well patronized, obviously a very small sample size. I was impressed though with amount of rail infrastructure in Sicily. Messina also has a short (less than 2 miles I think) light rail system as well that one can catch right outside the station.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The Mafia guys will not like this when they make their ritual trips to visit their ancestorial villages in the old country! ( will the Italian Transportation Minister find a Horse's Head in his bed? LOL)

Another good thing from the old days bites the dust!