Italy (Puglia) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable in force from 15 June 2025. Although the timetable is shown as valid until 13 December 2025, most long-distance services are shown as operating only for a couple of months. Such trains are not indicated by note 'D' (for a service only running on certain dates), because it is a reasonable expectation that their period of operation will be extended or a similar service is provided instead. It is assumed that the timetable will continue to be updated and reissued regularly, as has been the case since summer 2020. Users are recommended to check the Trenitalia website to ensure they are using the latest version of the timetable.

Table numbers quoted here are from In Treno Tutt'Italia, the official Trenitalia timetable. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Atlante ferroviaro d'Italia e Slovenia by Schweers + Wall.

Two useful symbols exist which show the booked route for trains not calling at a station: in the middle of the train column, a vertical bar "|" means that the train passes through the station without stopping, whereas a middle dot "·" means that the train does not pass through that station but instead takes a different route.

Obscure services

Bretella di Foggia: Cervaro (Deviatoio lato BN/PZ) – Incoronata (Deviatoio lato BA)

[6] (ERA-E 86B1; ERA-R 165A5; S+W 79B2 not shown) IT25/181

This curve links the Benevento and Bari lines directly, enabling trains to avoid reversal at Foggia. The few trains between Roma and Bari that used this route have been scheduled to call at Foggia since December 2021. An overnight service using this curve ran for a couple of days during summer 2024.

Taranto avoiding line: Massafra (Bellavista) – Palagiano-Chiatona (P.M. Cagioni)

[90, 94] (ERA-E 86B1; ERA-R 166A3; S+W 86C4 but shown as closed) IT25/182

This curve links the Bari and Metaponto lines directly, enabling trains to avoid reversal at Taranto. A pair of regional trains, called Lucania Express, used this curve between 1 July 2024 and 22 April 2025 to offer a fast service between Bari and Potenza. It is unclear if the service will resume after the summer.