Rome and Milan, two of Italy’s largest cities, are grappling with a persistent shortage of taxis, leading to a staggering 1.3 million unanswered taxi requests per month in Rome and half a million in Milan. The crisis has persisted for nearly two decades, with the last increase in taxi licenses occurring in 2005 in Rome and 2003 in Milan.
In an attempt to address the issue, the rightwing coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni introduced new regulations in August 2022 as part of the “Asset decree.” The decree allows larger cities to increase the number of taxi licenses by 20% to meet the growing demand. However, the move has faced strong opposition from taxi drivers, a formidable lobby in Italy, who have threatened to strike in protest against any new measures.
Italy’s antitrust regulator has repeatedly called for an increase in the number of taxis in Rome and Milan, which currently have 7,692 and 4,885 taxis, respectively. The shortage has become increasingly apparent as tourism in Italy surges and with major upcoming events such as the Vatican’s Jubilee 2025 in Rome and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026.
Italian tourism minister Daniela Santanché recently highlighted the issue by posting a viral video on social media showing a long queue for taxis at Rome’s Termini station, sarcastically describing the scene as “a nice business card for tourists arriving in the capital!!”
As the government continues its efforts to alleviate the taxi shortage, it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached with the powerful taxi lobby to ensure that the growing demand for taxis in Italy’s major cities is adequately met.
