Naples, Italy – The Naples Tangenziale, a vital urban artery, became the scene of a slow-drive protest on January 5, 2026, as residents and activists voiced their strong opposition to a planned toll increase and persistent service issues. The demonstration, which began at 10:15 AM from Fuorigrotta, saw a “long serpent” of cars and motorcycles moving at a snail’s pace, chanting “no” to what they perceive as another unjustified price hike.
Toll Hike Sparks Outrage Among Neapolitans
The protest was triggered by the impending tariff adjustment, effective January 1, 2026, which would raise the toll to 1.05 euros. This increase has ignited widespread discontent among citizens, who argue that they are being forced to pay more for an infrastructure plagued by congestion, endless construction, and inadequate maintenance.
Francesco Emilio Borrelli, a deputy from the Green-Left Alliance and a key organizer of the initiative, stated, “Citizens are tired of paying for no services in return. From 2026, we will pay more due to inflation, but the Tangenziale will still have queues, endless construction, and a lack of maintenance. It is unacceptable that the only urban highway in Europe that is still tolled continues to burden the pockets of Neapolitans without a real improvement in quality.”
Political and Civic Leaders Join the Movement
The protest drew a diverse group of participants, including political figures, legal professionals, and prominent civic leaders. Motorcyclists from RaNaples, known for their frog masks, and Ducati Bunny led the procession, followed by dozens of citizens demanding the liberalization of the route. Alongside Borrelli were regional councilor Carlo Ceparano, municipal councilors Rino Nasti and Gianni Caselli, and Portici city councilor Aldo Agnello, all united in their call for change.
Proposals for a Fairer Toll System
Beyond mere protest, the demonstration also served as a platform to reintroduce a technical proposal aimed at alleviating the financial burden on local residents. The idea of a petition to eliminate internal toll booths was heavily promoted. “The goal is to make only those entering the city from outside pay,” Borrelli explained. “Those who move between the districts of Naples should not be taxed. This solution has already been adopted in other Italian metropolises and would help decongest urban traffic.”
Attorney Angelo Pisani, a long-standing advocate for motorists’ rights, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “The Tangenziale is, to all intents and purposes, an urban road. Charging a toll to move within one’s own municipality is a violation of the right to mobility that penalizes families and workers.”
Clash with the Government and Future Actions
The local battle in Naples is now escalating to the national level. Borrelli sharply criticized the current government, stating, “While solutions are always found for large concessionaire groups and insurance companies, citizens are met with helplessness. Naples cannot be treated like an ATM.”
The organizers have vowed that this protest will not be an isolated event. They have announced plans for further actions if concrete signals are not received from the government and the management company. The ongoing modernization plan for the Naples Tangenziale, with investments nearing 300 million euros, aims to make the infrastructure safer, greener, and more technologically advanced. However, many residents feel that these improvements are not translating into tangible benefits for daily commuters [ilroma.net](https://www.ilroma.net/news/curiosita/855894/tangenziale-di-napoli-dal-passato-al-futuro-il-grande-piano-di-ammodernamento-tra-sicurezza-sostenibilita-e-tecnologia.html).
Recent closures and traffic disruptions on the Tangenziale, including those related to maintenance work and special events, have further fueled public frustration [ilmattino.it](https://www.ilmattino.it/napoli/citta/tangenziale_napoli_chiusure_prossime_settimane_orari_date_strade_interessate-9254824.html), [napolitoday.it](https://www.napolitoday.it/sport/ssc-napoli/napoli-como-chiusura-uscita-tangenziale-fuorigrotta.html), [tangenzialedinapoli.it](https://www.tangenzialedinapoli.it/en/viabilit%C3%A0), [ansa.it](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2025/03/11/cisterna-si-ribalta-riaperto-tratto-della-tangenziale-di-napoli_f4bf33af-79f6-412d-bf5c-c5c49c7efe03.html).
Source: cronachedellacampania.it
