Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, Mobility Councillor, Eugenio Patanè, and Mobility Commission Chairman, Giovanni Zannola, presented the new regulations regarding Taxi and Ncc service on the territory of Roma Capitale.

The main novelty concerns the introduction of so-called "second drivers." The mayor signed an ordinance that, giving substance to an article contained in the Regulations for Non-Scheduled Public Transport, introduces supplementary shifts for cabs to be carried out through so-called "second drivers," that is, the possibility of running the same car, driven by two different drivers, on several shifts during the day.  This measure makes it possible to introduce supplementary shifts for cabs to be included in peak demand, either seasonally or at certain times of the day. The regular shift will normally be 9 hours, while the supplementary shift will be two hours less. This measure may ensure a significant increase in the supply of cab cars, meeting the needs of citizens and tourists.

Furthermore, last week, the Capitoline Assembly unanimously approved the new Regulations for the performance of Taxi and Ncc service, which, meeting the demands of the categories concerned, introduces important innovations. First of all, a much more effective, incisive and punctual system of sanctions is provided for: the so-called accumulation of sanctions is eliminated and the first infraction is sufficient to reach the suspension of the license. In addition to the new sanction system, regulations have been included in the text thanks to which it will be possible to define shifts through a special web platform: this new model will allow the Administration to guarantee a more consistent number of cars at times of peak demand.  Other new features include an easier process for the transferability of licenses and the free-of-charge for taxi drivers of the 'call cab 060609' service, which will become an important tool for operators, citizens and tourists also because it will be integrated with all new technologies applied to mobility, including Maas, Mobility as a Service.

"With the ordinance that introduces changes in cab shifts through the so-called second driving, the possibility of running the car with another driver even at the end of a shift, the offer of the service is expanded especially at times of peak demand. If adherence to this new discipline were similar to what there was in Milan, in Rome it would mean the equivalent of 1,000 new licenses. This is a choice that falls fully within the context of the innovations contained in the new Service Regulations and in a general strategy that aims at increasing the offer and intermodality to strengthen public transport," stressed Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.

"With this measure," commented Councillor Eugenio Patanè, "we are meeting the demands of the categories and the needs of Roman citizens and tourists. Very important is the introduction of the second drivers that will affect the supply of Taxi cars at the most critical times, when over the years the main shortages have been registered from the point of view of the number of cars available. The ordinance on second drivers is part of the broader vision of intermodal mobility that has as its priority objective the reduction of private vehicular traffic to the benefit of public transport." Councillor Patanè himself announced that it is the will of the Administration "to set up a commission to deal with fares, to make an assessment together with the trade unions, because it is a matter of putting together the right of users and operators and is therefore a measure that can only arise from consultation and participation. In the coming weeks, the chairman of the advisory committee will activate this table to evaluate a remodulation."

President Giovanni Zannola pointed out during the presentation at the Capitol that the new cab and ncc regulations were voted "unanimously by the Capitoline Assembly. There has been a year-long effort for which I thank the offices, Roma Servizi per la Mobilità and the department, as well as the advisory committee. It was necessary and important to find a balance between the demands of cabs and nccs and those of the city, but finally we align ourselves with the national rules regarding the transferability of licenses, passing from the 6 months of the 2021 regulation to the 24 months provided by law and transposed by this resolution. Even the free 060609 is a measure that will be integrated with the TaxiWeb application in order to make the system modern and allowing, by interfacing with Spid, also a better service to people with disabilities because now many more operators will be able to register."