Rome Taxi Drivers Face Fines for Misconduct
Recently, a taxi driver operating at Rome’s Fiumicino airport was fined €2,700 for refusing to take a blind couple and their guide dog in his car. The couple, in obvious need of assistance, were left stranded until local police and airport staff helped them find another taxi. The offending driver was later caught and fined, with further administrative action pending.
This incident comes on the heels of another taxi driver being fined €3,000 for overcharging a group of Chinese tourists. The tourists reported the driver for significantly increasing their fare from the airport to Rome, leading to police intervention and administrative consequences for the driver.
In response to ongoing taxi misconduct and to address the anticipated influx of tourists for Jubilee Year 2025, Rome is preparing to issue 1,000 new taxi licenses. These licenses will be available for tender in September, in an effort to alleviate the taxi shortage in the city.
It is important for taxi drivers to adhere to regulations and provide fair service to all passengers, especially those in need. Rome is taking steps to ensure that visitors can rely on safe and honest transportation during their stay in the Eternal City.
Photo credit: Sorbis / Shutterstock.com.
