The black summer of taxis: more than a third of Romans and Milanese queuing for an often unavailable means of transport

Another black summer for public car mobility in the city. 36.5 per cent of Italians, especially in Rome and Milan, report having experienced excessive waits at parking bays to have a white car available. Those dissatisfied with the service were divided into those who found no vehicle available (17.3%), those who waited between 15 and 30 minutes (11.9%), and those who waited more than half an hour in the hope of seeing a white car turn up (7.3%). Overall, more than 70% say they have at least once found themselves unable to find an available taxi (or Ncc). Finally, as is the logical consequence, 61% of citizens call for a reform of the non-scheduled transport system and almost six out of ten insist on the urgency of reform.

It is a merciless snapshot that emerges from the latest survey by Muoviti Italia, the coalition founded this year that brings together companies, associations and mobility operators. The survey, conducted between last June and July on a sample of 500 people, mainly in the capital and in Lombardy, where the vast majority of Italy's 23,000 taxis operate, clearly highlights a widespread discomfort that goes beyond the daily chronicle of interminable waits. The average satisfaction level stops at 2.9 out of 5: an insufficient report card that lays bare a system in structural difficulty.

The comparison with Europe accentuates the Italian lag. 86.5% of respondents have used on-demand services in other cities on the continent and 56.7% rate them as better, underlining the greater availability of vehicles, the simplicity of booking apps, more transparent fares and more modern rules. Only 22.5% rated foreign services worse than domestic ones. The gap is made even clearer by the testimonies collected: requests for more licences, liberalisation of the market, efficient digital tools, guaranteed electronic payments, wider coverage during critical hours. These are the pieces of a mosaic that points to a systemic issue.

"The results of this survey send out a clear message: the current on-demand transport system in Italy is not able to meet the needs of citizens," observes Andrea Giuricin, spokesperson for Muoviti Italia. "The scarce availability of vehicles, excessive waiting times, and the gap with European services show the urgency of a structural reform that opens up the market, modernises the rules, and guarantees everyone efficient, accessible, and fairly priced mobility solutions. It is time to listen to the citizens and give the country mobility that matches its needs and ambitions'.

The subject is not new. For years there have been proposals to amend the 1992 framework law governing taxis and NCCs, but every attempt has run aground amidst corporate resistance and failed political mediation. Now, however, the pressure seems to be mounting as the Parliament returns to discuss new legislative initiatives. Among these, the bill presented by Andrea Caroppo, Paola Boscaini and Stefano Benigni of Forza Italia, which aims to revise the regulations on the Ncc in a more modern sense.