Atac Bus Driver Robbed at Gunpoint in Castelverde
Rome, June 24, 2026 – An Atac bus driver was robbed at gunpoint in Castelverde, Rome, on Tuesday evening, June 23, 2026. The incident occurred at the bus terminus on Via Ortona de’ Marsi, where the perpetrator, armed with a pistol, made off with 20 euros. The 48-year-old victim, visibly shaken, later reported the incident to the police.
The driver recounted his ordeal to the Carabinieri. Around 10:30 PM, after reaching the terminus, he stepped out of the bus. A man approached him, inquired about the bus’s departure time, and then disappeared. While the driver was waiting to resume his route and speaking to his wife on the phone, the same individual attacked him from behind. The armed robber then stole 20 euros before fleeing the scene.
Following the robbery, the driver drove approximately one kilometer to Largo Rotello, where he contacted emergency services (112). He was subsequently taken to Policlinico Casilino due to his agitated state. Carabinieri from the San Vittorino Romano station have launched an investigation. Authorities hope that surveillance camera footage will provide crucial evidence to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Union Condemns Attack, Calls for Increased Security
The incident has been condemned by the RSU Atac coordination of the Tor Vergata depot. In a statement, they declared, “It is unacceptable that drivers have to endure such conditions. Greater attention is needed in that area; this is not the first time such incidents have occurred.” This statement highlights ongoing concerns about driver safety in certain areas of Rome.
Separate Incident: Bus Driver Trapped and Threatened at Olympic Village
On the same evening, a female Atac bus driver on line 982 experienced moments of terror in the Olympic Village area. Her bus became blocked on Via Unione Sovietica by a series of parked cars, presumably belonging to attendees of a Max Pezzali concert at the Olympic Stadium. The driver was trapped for nearly three hours.
Giovanni Forti, a city councilor for Sinistra Civica Ecologista in Municipality XV, reported the incident. He stated that around 9:00 PM, the bus’s passage was obstructed, preventing it from moving forward or backward. Forti contacted local police, but officers were occupied with other traffic incidents. The driver was advised by law enforcement to remain in place.
Shortly after midnight, concert-goers returning to their vehicles became aggressive, insulting the driver and punching the bus. The driver, unable to defend herself, suffered a panic attack due to extreme fear. Eventually, a police patrol and medical personnel from 118 arrived to assess her condition and provide assistance.
These two separate incidents on the same night underscore the growing challenges and dangers faced by public transport workers in Rome, prompting calls for enhanced security measures and greater protection for drivers.
Source: https://www.romatoday.it/cronaca/rapina-autista-atac-23-giugno-2026.html
