by InTrieste
Trenitalia will change the pricing structure for monthly passes on Italy’s high-speed rail network from November, lowering the fixed cost while introducing a fee for each seat reservation.
Under the new system, passengers will pay €80 less for their monthly abbonamento, but €2 for every reserved journey. The new passes will go on sale Oct. 17.
The reservation fee will be refunded if a booking is canceled before departure and the journey is not taken. When two connecting trains are booked together, the reservation charge will remain €2.
For commuters traveling between Rome and Naples, for example, the current monthly pass costs €418. From November, it will cost €338, plus €2 per reservation. A passenger making 30 trips a month would pay €398, saving €20, while 40 trips would bring the total back to the current €418.
Trenitalia said the change is intended to discourage passengers from reserving seats they do not use, which can make trains appear fully booked and prevent other travelers from purchasing tickets.
Consumer group Assoutenti said the new system could benefit frequent travelers by increasing the number of seats actually available for sale. It said it would monitor the changes and seek adjustments if problems emerge.
