Countdown to July 1st, the day on which the Decimomannu–Carbonia and Decimomannu–Iglesias railway lines will be temporarily suspended to allow the already announced works to enhance the regional railway network.
The interventions will be concluded by 31 December 2026 and will inevitably create changes to the routine of commuters who use the route.
However, explains the regional councilor for Transport Barbara Manca , "it is a necessary investment that can no longer be postponed and that will allow , at the end of the works, to offer more reliable and safe rail services , in line with the daily mobility needs of citizens. We have worked to organize in detail a replacement service that minimizes the inconvenience and maintains the right to mobility unchanged throughout the construction phase".
So how will we get around in the next 17 months? "During the period of suspension of the railway lines - explains the department -, the connections between Carbonia, Iglesias and Cagliari will be guaranteed by extra-urban ARST buses . The vehicles will make intermediate stops in Villamassargia and Siliqua and will arrive directly at the Decimomannu station, where it will be possible to continue the journey by train to Cagliari or other destinations . The new configuration simplifies transfers compared to the current system, eliminating the need to change in Villamassargia". For the municipalities of Uta and Villaspeciosa, a dedicated shuttle service will be active, every 30 minutes, to and from the Decimomannu station.
TICKETS AND SEASON PASSES – The fares applied – the Region reminds us – remain the railway fares . Monthly and annual season tickets purchased before 1 July 2025 will continue to be valid on replacement buses . The new ARST tickets will have the wording “SERV. SULCIS” to correctly identify the routes. For example, to travel from Iglesias to Cagliari you will have to select the route “IGLESIAS SERV. SULCIS – CAGLIARI SERV. SULCIS”.
Tickets will be available starting from June 22nd through the usual ARST sales channels (DropTicket, Tabnet) and Trenitalia (website and app). Tickets for the Uta/Villaspeciosa–Decimomannu shuttle will be available exclusively through ARST.
TIMETABLES – The updated timetables of the services will be available on the Trenitalia and ARST websites . The general conditions of use of the service – including the provisions for accessibility, transport of bicycles and scooters – are indicated in the ARST Mobility Charter and in the Trenitalia Service Charter.
"We believe it is essential - concludes Councilor Manca - that every citizen be accompanied with clarity and transparency in this transition phase. The works that are about to begin are designed to structurally improve transportation in Sulcis: a territory that, like others in Sardinia, has the right to modern railway infrastructures and services that meet its needs".
(Online Union)