Rome’s driverless trains halted by absent staff

Rome’s transport system has been beset by problems, including buses bursting into flames
Rome’s transport system has been beset by problems, including buses bursting into flames

A tube line in Rome that boasts a fleet of driverless trains has ground to a halt due to staff shortages, the latest crisis to hit the city’s hapless transport system.

Rome’s C line, which opened in 2014 with automatic trains to reduce the need for heavily unionised drivers, was shut down for hours on Monday after six station masters called in sick.

Thousands of commuters were forced to cram on to buses, prompting an outcry about Covid-19 contagion risks.

Unions are preparing for pay talks with management, which led to an internal investigation into whether the shutdown was a tactic to apply pressure on their employers.

“This is a slap in the face to the city and to Romans trying responsibly to get to