To date, the public transport service has evolved significantly, based on new elements that are driving the market and the country economically. We are talking about those forms of non-scheduled, supplementary transport known as taxis and NCC (Car Rental with Driver). These are two useful tools for moving across the national and international territory, with hourly rates and service reservations. Furthermore, we are talking about vehicles that are usually luxurious, including high-ranking supercars, to make one feel special, just like a public figure. This is especially true in the case of NCC, which, unlike common taxis, has its own distinct character separate from the rest of the transport sector. Particularly behind the growth of this tool, the frequency of taxis is increasingly diminishing. But this isn’t the only cause: let’s explore the other reasons behind this service shortage.
Where have all the taxis gone?
One of the reasons leading to a noticeable shortage in the taxi service, as an alternative or supplement to the public scheduled transport, is the growth of NCC (Car Rental with Driver). This service has taken a slice of the clientele from taxis, which have seen a rapid decline in interested customers. In fact, the car rental service with a driver represents a truly unique mode of transport in its kind for luxury and image as well as functionality. It is an organized service, with a predetermined date for the journey, dream supercars used, and absolute comfort during the trip. These elements place taxis at a significantly lower level, and therefore, they lose out in terms of quality.
Other possible reasons behind the taxi SOS
A growing taxi SOS is becoming increasingly significant and sheds light on a problem that needs to be resolved to avoid losing a key element in public transportation. Beyond the growth of NCC, there are other contributing factors: one of them concerns the working conditions of taxi drivers. These professionals have often been denigrated and underestimated over time, especially when it comes to salary and rights. Both have been mistreated and debated by the government and various local administrative bodies. The precarious and perpetually confusing position of taxi drivers is why the service provided by them has not been consistent and consequently deficient. Therefore, the public and various regional communities have shifted their attention to private transport services like car rental with a driver. This substitution was necessary to meet mobility needs that could not be satisfied by traditional means of transport.
The issue of double driving and licenses
Another reason for the shortage of taxis is the issue related to double driving, which has been extensively discussed by the government but with extreme bureaucratic slowness. This delay in embracing the aforementioned possibility has hindered the entire system of integrative transport in question. An emblem of this is the image of the capital, Rome, in full taxi crisis and emergency, due to the mentioned problems, and therefore, desperately in need of NCC. Continuous strikes by professionals in the sector have significantly negatively impacted mobility in the territory. The need for a greater number of licenses to be issued by the local municipal administration has been loudly demanded by industry professionals who have been ignored for a long time.
The situation of NCC
Naturally, when discussing the condition of taxi drivers and the shortage of taxi services, as mentioned in the previous paragraphs, one inevitably links this to NCC (Car Rental with Driver). The NCC has grown significantly, and not just due to the concurrent scarcity of taxis. This growth is also due to its own merits, given the high status and quality of this non-scheduled, supplementary transport tool. It’s a highly valid option available to the community, perhaps not economically feasible for everyone, but certainly for many. It provides a means of independent transportation, particularly favored by public figures and prominent personalities, but also by less media-exposed individuals. However, like taxis, they have also suffered from bureaucratic delays related to the issue of licenses issued by municipal entities. This deficiency has not only burdened taxi drivers but also drivers in this continuously expanding sector. Additionally, this problem is compounded by the lack of participation in competitive examinations by professionals, leading to unclear acquisition of authorization and positions. This illegality has been reported in some cases, while in others, it has been overlooked. Therefore, there are various reasons contributing to the chaos and significant obstacles hindering the movement of the public transport in question. The acquisition of the dual driving capability is crucial for those performing this task, as often taxis and NCC are similar services. These two roles are even confused, given the proximity of tasks and roles, but then they meet different needs.
Tourism highlights the shortage of taxis and NCC
Adding significantly to the problem is the development of tourism, with a large clientele from abroad constantly searching for taxis or car rentals to move around once they arrive at their destination. This trend is paradoxical: on one hand, there is the economic boost from tourism, but on the other hand, there is a negative and problematic counter-effect generated by the deficient integrated transport service. The latest national estimates show about a 40% decrease in the activity and presence of taxis and NCC in the territory. A significant reduction, almost by half in terms of performance, which has decidedly influenced tourist movement and, consequently, the financial system and the country’s revenues. This chain of events reveals two weak links: extreme bureaucratic slowness and illicit practices in the issuance and acquisition of licenses. These harmful elements for the transport means in question lead to frequent strikes and protests by taxi drivers and drivers who are increasingly in crisis.
