Naples, transportation reduced due to the referendum. Buses, funiculars, and EAV lines affected.

On the weekend of the justice referendum, Naples is preparing for extraordinary management of public transport., with significant changes that are not the result of technical problems or strikes, but rather of an organizational choice linked to staff participation in polling stations, an element that directly impacts the daily operations of the city network.

Why buses and funiculars stop in Naples

The reduction in service is linked to the use of drivers and train drivers as list representatives at polling stations, a situation that takes away a significant portion of operational personnel precisely on the days when the elections take place, creating an immediate effect on the availability of resources.

This is therefore not a sudden or unplanned interruption, but a direct consequence of an institutional commitment involving many transport workers, which has already occurred on previous occasions, such as during the regional elections, when hundreds of employees were assigned to electoral activities.

Naples Funiculars: Schedules and Closures from March 21st to 24th

Funiculars will be the hardest hit, with total closures and timetable reductions spread over several days., following a variable schedule that requires attention from users to avoid travel inconveniences.

On Saturday, March 21st, the Mergellina funicular will be closed for the entire day, while Montesanto will end its service in the early afternoon and Chiaia will continue until the evening, creating a partially operational network.

The situation will remain similar on Sunday the 22nd, with Mergellina still closed and Chiaia open until 22 pm, while on Monday the 23rd there will be a partial reopening in the afternoon for some lines, with Mergellina and Montesanto closed in the morning and only open from early afternoon.

Finally, on Tuesday, March 24, a more extensive closure will return, with Mergellina and Montesanto completely closed, confirming a fragmented overall situation that makes it necessary to plan every trip in advance.

Metro and Line 6: What's Remaining Open?

Not all of the network will be affected, as the main metro lines will continue to operate regularly., effectively representing the most reliable alternative during the days of the referendum.

In particular, Lines 1 and 6 will continue to operate, with the latter also introducing an extension of the weekday timetable until 21:10 PM. This, while not fully compensating for the problems of the funiculars and buses, still offers a concrete option for getting around.

Disruptions on EAV buses and lines: what to expect

The critical issues do not only concern the funiculars, but also extend to the bus service and regional lines, where the reduced presence of drivers will inevitably lead to limited journeys and possible delays.

EAV lines, such as Cumana and Circumvesuviana, will also be affected by the same dynamic, with staff busy at polling stations and a consequent reduction in operational availability, creating a widespread effect on mobility throughout the metropolitan area.

The new polling station rule: what changes for drivers

This situation is also due to a recent regulatory change, which redefined the role of public transport employees at polling stations, introducing specific limitations.

The 2025 Legislative Decree has in fact excluded these workers from the possibility of holding roles such as president, scrutineer, or secretary, but not from participating as list representatives, thus leading to a redistribution of attendance that continues to impact the organization of the service.

Referendum and transportation: how to organize your city

In a context of reduced services and variable timetables, managing travel requires greater attention than usual, especially for those who have to move between different areas of the city or rely on multiple means of transport.

Monitoring official updates and prioritizing active metro lines becomes the most effective strategy, considering that the situation will remain unstable until the end of the elections, when ordinary public transport can gradually return to normal operation.