Italy: Issued AGCM fine against Radiotaxi for failure to allocate unused capacity to competing intermediation platforms

On 8 August 2024, the Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) fined Radiotaxi 3570 cooperative for failing to comply with regulation no. 27244/2018, which mandates the modification of statutory and regulatory clauses concerning the non-competition obligation. This obligation previously prevented taxi members from allocating their unused production capacity to competing intermediation platforms for taxi demand collection and sorting services in the Municipality of Rome. The AGCM noted the second instance of Radiotaxi's non-compliance, leading to a fine of EUR 140,043.95. The cooperative's approach to allowing taxi drivers to free up unused production capacity exclusively for platforms with interoperability agreements with ItTaxi was deemed inadequate by the Authority. The ruling emphasises the need for taxi drivers to have the autonomy to choose intermediation platforms, fostering competition within the market. Additionally, a daily late payment penalty of EUR 214.40, calculated until the day of compliance, has been imposed as per Article 15, paragraph 2-bis, letter a), Law no. 287/1990.