Brief
Rome police fine 131 illegal golf‑cart tours as crackdown intensifies
Authorities fined dozens of operators after a surge in unlicensed golf‑cart tours sparked complaints from residents and taxi drivers.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Rome police intensified checks this week, stopping 131 golf‑cart tours around Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Circus Maximus and the Spanish Steps and issuing €38,000 in fines, the Guardian reported.
What happened
According to the Guardian, the police action follows a report by news agency Adnkronos that 90% of the roughly 500 golf carts circulating in the city were operating without authorisation. In the latest sweep, officers seized carts and fined operators for a range of offences, including driving without a licence and operating in pedestrian‑only zones.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that taxi drivers have accused the carts of stealing their business, while a local newspaper described the city as being “taken hostage” by the vehicles. The article also quotes American tourists Barry and Linda, who said they used a golf‑cart tour to rest their feet after a long museum visit and appreciated the breeze.
What was said
"When I first heard you could do golf cart tours in Rome, I thought to myself: that sounds a little weird," Barry told the Guardian. His companion added, "There are no sidewalks… our feet were hurting and we needed a break." The piece also records taxi drivers’ anger, though no specific names are given.
How it came about
Rome’s leaders have been pushing region‑wide measures to regulate the growing number of golf‑cart tours, a response to mounting resident frustration over traffic and overtourism. The crackdown follows weeks of complaints from locals and the tourism‑industry watchdogs, as the city seeks to balance visitor convenience with historic‑centre preservation.
Key facts
- Police stopped 131 golf‑cart tours around major Rome sites and issued €38,000 in fines. (theguardian.com)
- Adnkronos reported that 90% of the roughly 500 carts in Rome operate without authorisation. (theguardian.com)
- Taxi drivers claim the carts are stealing their business, and a local newspaper said the city had been "taken hostage" by the vehicles. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘I have to dodge them all the time’: Rome locals incensed by rise in golf cart tours”
