Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) is currently installing new elevators at the Lugo railway station after previous lifting platforms were destroyed by floods. While construction is expected to finish in September with full activation by November, RFI directs passengers with reduced mobility to use the “Sala Blu” assistance service to secure station access.
Wheelchair User Stranded at Lugo Station Due to Missing Elevator
Antonio Iacobelli, a Ravenna resident undergoing motor rehabilitation at Umberto I hospital, was unable to access the platforms at Lugo railway station last Saturday. Iacobelli, who uses a wheelchair, had returned to the station after a day with his family, believing an elevator was available based on information provided by other hospital users.
Upon arrival, Iacobelli found the elevator shaft empty. He was eventually able to reach platform 2 only after a German passenger carried both him and his wheelchair up 26 steps, according to Iacobelli. The situation improved once on board, as the train conductor coordinated with Ravenna station to ensure the train arrived at platform 1, avoiding further accessibility hurdles during arrival.
RFI Cites Flood Damage for Infrastructure Failure
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) attributed the lack of accessibility to previous flooding that submerged and destroyed the station’s lifting platforms. These platforms previously required users to hold a command button to operate. RFI is now replacing those systems with permanent elevators.
Work to expand the shafts and install the new elevators has been ongoing for approximately one year. RFI provided the following timeline for the restoration of service:
- September: Expected completion of construction works.
- Post-September: Testing and certification by a third-party agency.
- October to November: Estimated activation of the elevators.
Using the Sala Blu Assistance Service
To mitigate accessibility gaps during construction, RFI emphasizes the use of “Sala Blu,” a dedicated assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility. This service requires advance booking via the RFI website to ensure station staff are alerted to a passenger’s needs.
According to RFI, the Sala Blu service provides several options for passengers who cannot walk independently, including:
- Programming train arrivals on the most accessible platforms.
- Providing dedicated ramps to bridge the gap between the platform and the train.
- Deploying station personnel to assist with boarding and disembarking.
Accessibility Standards for Italian Rail
While RFI's transition from lifting platforms to elevators represents a permanent infrastructure upgrade, the interim period leaves passengers reliant on pre-booked assistance or the help of bystanders.
Passengers traveling through the Emilia-Romagna region are encouraged to verify the current status of station facilities through official RFI channels or the Sala Blu portal to avoid disruptions in travel.