“Salty” Christmas parties for non-resident students. Transport costs, as noted by the University Union and Federconsumatori, are exorbitant.
«According to the data collected», explains Camilla Piredda, Coordinator of the University Students' Union, «a non-resident student who in recent days buys a ticket for a medium-long distance route spends approximately 108 euros to return to his home. This is obviously a very variable figure, which increases a lot for flights to Sicily or Sardinia. For example, it is now impossible to find a flight between Turin and Palermo for less than 169 euros. Flights between Milan and Palermo have even reached 400 euros, while several flights between Rome and Catania now cost 300 euros each way."
«Those who booked in advance», adds Michele Carrus, president of Federconsumatori, «were able to take advantage of more advantageous fares, as it was possible to find a ticket costing from 19 to 120 euros. By booking in advance it is possible to access promotional tickets more easily, but during the Christmas period these run out quickly, also because on these occasions the availability of vehicles is often inadequate to the volume of demand... this is why prices rise so much. The ONF - National Federconsumatori Observatory has estimated significant and worrying annual increases. The cost differences amount, on average, on the routes considered, to +33% for traveling by bus or plane during the holidays, +20% for those who choose the train, with significant peaks of increase especially for the routes heading towards the South We have reported these anomalous increases to the Antitrust and the ART, asking them to examine and sanction any abuses which, every year in this period, we are forced to report".
«These amounts - concludes Piredda - are exorbitant, some students even have to give up returning home due to the costs. Also because, obviously, the return journey must also be considered, bringing the total cost to around 200 euros. Calculating the entire year, we have estimated that a non-resident university student spends an average of 600 euros. Unfortunately, the State does not provide any specific aid other than the scholarship, which in any case remains insufficient to cover all the expenses related to studying abroad, including rent which represents the most expensive expense. Guaranteeing the right to study also means guaranteeing the possibility for students to return home."
(Unioneonline/ss)
