With around 15,000 passengers and 300 trains passing through daily, Firenze Rifredi is the third busiest train station in Tuscany, after Santa Maria Novella and Pisa Centrale. Despite its importance, the station still lacks essential services such as a ticket office, elevators, and a waiting room—issues that local unions and residents are calling “serious shortcomings.”
The Spi Cgil union for District 5 has urged the Region of Tuscany and Trenitalia to take immediate action, asking for these gaps to be addressed through updates to the service agreement. The current situation is especially difficult for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, or those carrying heavy luggage, who struggle to access platforms efficiently. Although RFI confirms that assistance for people with disabilities is available via booking through the Sala Blu service, elevators remain out of service due to structural problems.
Safety concerns have also been raised regarding the pedestrian underpass connecting Via Reginaldo Giuliani with Piazza Dalmazia, where residents report incidents of harassment and even physical assaults. The absence of a permanent security presence has led many locals to avoid the area altogether, even if it means taking longer routes.
Local businesses near the station entrance—such as bars and pizzerias—often end up helping travelers by providing directions and support. However, facilities remain inadequate: public toilets, which charge 50 cents per use, are partially out of order, with one having been closed for over 20 days. RFI has announced that full renovations of the restrooms are scheduled for October.
The situation at Firenze Rifredi highlights broader concerns about accessibility and safety in secondary but high-traffic transportation hubs. Unions and residents alike are urging authorities to prioritize improvements to ensure the station is safe, inclusive, and functional for all.