Italy's antitrust authority has told municipalities that they must increase the number of taxi licenses available and make shifts more flexible in order to respond to critical demand especially in Rome, Milan, Naples and Palermo, it emerged on Wednesday.
Local authorities must also provide constant monitoring of supply and ensure adequate services for transportation of people with reduced mobility, added the watchdog.
The antitrust body said cities need to adapt the number of licenses to real demand for taxi services, if necessary by exceeding the 20% threshold established as an extraordinary measure in the government's so-called 'Asset decree'.
The law, approved last autumn, sparked protests and strikes from taxi drivers, who are a highly protected sector of the economy.
Grassroots union Usb described the provision as "inappropriate".
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