Naples, January 30 – An investigation by the popular Italian satirical news program Striscia la Notizia has brought to light a significant issue of illegal taxi services in Naples, referred to as the ‘taxi clan’. The report, aired on Friday, January 30, detailed a highly organized network of unlicensed drivers operating approximately twenty vehicles, posing a serious threat to legal taxi operators and urban mobility.
Illegal Taxis: A Parallel System in Naples
Luca Abete, the Striscia la Notizia correspondent, returned to Naples to investigate widespread illegal activities, focusing on the ‘taxi clan’ phenomenon. The investigation revealed a quasi-criminal system capable of intercepting customers across various city contexts and offering rides at significantly lower rates than official tariffs, leading to unfair competition for authorized taxi drivers.
Operating from Nightlife to Daily Commutes
The illegal operators primarily target Naples’ vibrant nightlife, capitalizing on high demand and limited controls. However, their activities are not restricted to night hours; these unlicensed cars are also active during regular transport times, picking up passengers in different areas of the city.
During the investigation, Luca Abete attempted to engage with some of these drivers to highlight their lack of licenses and authorizations. These confrontations quickly escalated, with heated exchanges and hostile reactions from the drivers, indicating a system unwilling to tolerate external scrutiny.
