WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Italy
ITALIAN TAXI STRIKE TURNS VIOLENT AS DRIVERS CLASH WITH POLITICIAN
A nationwide taxi strike paralysed major Italian cities on January 13, as thousands of drivers protested against multi- national ride-
hailing apps in a demonstration that descended into violence outside the national parliament. Eighteen unions coordinated the 14-hour walkout, demanding tighter regulations on platforms such as Uber. The protest, which snarled mobility from Milan to Naples, saw a massive convoy travel from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to a sit-in near the seats of government at Palazzo Montecitorio. The atmosphere in the capital turned hostile when Matteo Hallissey, the 22-year-old president of the liberal +Europa party, arrived at the protest carrying a sign that read “No more lobbying.” In a provocative move, Hallissey held up a POS card machine - a reference to frequent complaints that Italian drivers refuse electronic payments to avoid taxes. The gesture sparked a “wave of insults and threats” from the crowd, who threw smoke bombs and chanted “Uber, Uber, F**k off.” Hallissey was forced to flee as the situation escalated. “They chased us across the piazza and attempted to outrun the police to reach us, spitting and kicking,” Hallissey told reporters, describing the taxi sector as a “25,000-strong lobby.” Union leaders argue that the “aggressive entry” of digital platforms threatens the traditional regulated taxi industry. Nicola Di Giacobbe, coordinator of the Unica Taxi Filt Cgil union, warned that the current system is being challenged by “platforms driven by algorithms and profit-driven logic.” The unions are demanding: l Stricter licence enforcement and “geofencing” to prevent out-of-town pickups.
l “Clear rules for digital platforms, preventing the excessive power of algorithms.”
l Caps on dynamic pricing to protect the model of “rates set by the municipality.” The protest follows months of friction over a draft
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mobility law aimed at liberalising the sector, a move unions claim would undermine “safety obligations and specific responsibilities towards users.” The tension shows no sign of cooling. If the Ministry of Transport fails to reach an agreement with union representatives, organisers have threatened “rolling 24-hour stoppages during the February fashion-show season,” a move that could devastate Italy’s luxury and tourism sectors during a critical trade period. In response to the day’s chaos, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has moved to convene an emergency meeting with sector representatives to prevent further escalation.
from Australia
MELBOURNE BARTENDER WAGES WAR AGAINST ‘DODGY’ CABBIE
A Melbourne bartender has ignited a fierce discussion on transport ethics after admitting to sending a taxi driver on "wild goose chases" in retaliation for alleged price-gouging and harassment. The dispute began when a 13cabs driver reportedly "refused to use the meter," demanding $40 for a trip that typically costs half that amount. When the worker refused, he claims the driver began sabotaging his future transport by
repeatedly
accepting and cancelling his bookings. Frustrated by the "scam," the bartender used false names to lure the driver to locations, only to cancel upon his arrival, noting it was "entertaining nonetheless." The conflict escalated into "verbally abusing and threatening" phone calls. While 13cabs eventually banned the bartender, he argues there must be "better systems in place to protect their customers" from predatory pricing. In response, 13cabs emphasised that “using the meter is not optional” and stated they have “zero tolerance for drivers working off the meter.” The company is now lobbying for technology that locks payment terminals to the meter, ensuring “the driver can only charge what the meter records.” To combat such misconduct, the Victorian Government is implementing a “two-strikes policy.” Under these new regulations, drivers who commit two serious fare-related offences will “lose their accreditation,” providing a formal pathway to remove those who engage in illegal fare negotiation.
FEBRUARY 2026 PHTM
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