Naples – A double earthquake within a few weeks, both measuring 4 magnitude, has brought mobility to its knees in the Phlegraean Fields. The Cumana railway line, crucial for thousands of commuters, has been interrupted for nearly two months between the Arco Felice and Bagnoli stations, causing enormous disruption and prompting citizens to take action.
While the Ente Autonomo Volturno ( EAV ) is struggling to manage the chaos with a replacement shuttle service, a local association has launched an online petition calling for an alternative, more stable solution: the reactivation of the Circumflegrea railway line between Licola and Torregaveta.
EAV's response and daily inconveniences
EAV President Umberto De Gregorio admitted that repairing the damage will not be a quick process. "We endure earthquakes and try to find solutions," he said, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.
The shuttle service currently covers a stretch of five stations , but commuters complain about its inefficiency. The stops are often crowded, and heavy traffic, aggravated by construction sites along the Pozzuoli coastline, makes journeys exhausting and unpredictable.
De Gregorio promised an improvement in a few weeks, with the shuttle route being shortened to cover only the stretch between Gerolomini and Dazio. This solution, while partial, isn't entirely convincing for those who deal with delays and overcrowding every day.
The voice of the citizens and the petition proposal
The association "L'iniziativa – La voce flegrea" is voicing this discontent. Dario Chiocca, representing the association, explained the reasons for the protest: "We cannot accept such a prolonged situation of precariousness. Cumana is the backbone of public transportation in this area, and its interruption is severely impacting residents and workers."
The petition, launched on the Change.org platform, calls for two immediate actions:
The opening of the Via Fasano station, a crucial hub for local mobility.
The reopening of the Circumflegrea between Licola and Torregaveta, a route that, although decommissioned, could ease the burden on the Cumana Railway and offer a vital alternative in a time of crisis.
This request highlights the need for a Plan B, a more resilient transport network that doesn't rely on a single line and can cope with unforeseen events such as the seismic events that plague the Phlegraean Fields.
The tension between commuters' frustration and EAV's difficult management of the emergency continues, but the petition sends a clear signal: citizens do not intend to remain silent and are demanding concrete answers and long-term solutions.
