Italian Competition Authority Calls for Increased Competition in Regional Transport Sector
Italy's antitrust watchdog urges competitive bidding for regional public transport services to improve market efficiency and service quality.
In a move to increase competitiveness within Italy's regional public transport sector, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has called for the introduction of mandatory competitive bidding processes for the operation of regional rail and road passenger transport services.
This recommendation, included in the authority's input for the government's annual market and competition law, highlights long-standing challenges in liberalizing Italy's transport sector.
The AGCM, led by Roberto Rustichelli, has repeatedly pointed out that the lack of competition in the sector has led to inefficient and subpar service offerings.
The absence of mandatory competitive tendering for regional authorities has often resulted in direct awards, bypassing potential improvements in service that could be achieved through competitive processes.
The watchdog's communication emphasizes the need for a legislative change to require regional authorities to select transport service operators through competitive procedures as the standard practice.
This push for greater liberalization is set against a broader backdrop of efforts to strengthen competition across Italy's single market.
The authority underscores the importance of fostering competitive dynamics to boost productivity, advising that investments in technology, reduction of entry barriers, and simplification of regulatory frameworks are critical steps.
Enhancing public sector efficiency and streamlining Italy's complex regulatory environment are also seen as pivotal measures.
Such reforms could potentially elevate Italy's GDP by 3.5 to 8 percent by the end of the decade, according to estimates based on structural liberalization efforts undertaken between 2011 and 2017.
By 2024, regulatory improvements had only marginally progressed since 2018, the AGCM notes.
It has issued numerous recommendations across various sectors, including energy, distribution, and mobility services.
A sector particularly highlighted is electric mobility, where significant progress is still needed.
The development of Italy's electric vehicle charging infrastructure continues, with approximately 55,000 public charging points installed against a backdrop of 250,000 electric vehicles.
Industry projections suggest this could reach 115,000 charging points and 3.7 million vehicles by 2030.
To support this growth, the AGCM advocates for procedural simplifications that lower barriers for potential operators, promoting a diverse ecosystem of service providers.
The authority's broader objective aligns with enhancing competitive market conditions across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, taxi services, and hydroelectric concessions.
By fostering a more competitive environment, Italy aims to drive economic growth and improve service quality for its citizens.
This recommendation, included in the authority's input for the government's annual market and competition law, highlights long-standing challenges in liberalizing Italy's transport sector.
The AGCM, led by Roberto Rustichelli, has repeatedly pointed out that the lack of competition in the sector has led to inefficient and subpar service offerings.
The absence of mandatory competitive tendering for regional authorities has often resulted in direct awards, bypassing potential improvements in service that could be achieved through competitive processes.
The watchdog's communication emphasizes the need for a legislative change to require regional authorities to select transport service operators through competitive procedures as the standard practice.
This push for greater liberalization is set against a broader backdrop of efforts to strengthen competition across Italy's single market.
The authority underscores the importance of fostering competitive dynamics to boost productivity, advising that investments in technology, reduction of entry barriers, and simplification of regulatory frameworks are critical steps.
Enhancing public sector efficiency and streamlining Italy's complex regulatory environment are also seen as pivotal measures.
Such reforms could potentially elevate Italy's GDP by 3.5 to 8 percent by the end of the decade, according to estimates based on structural liberalization efforts undertaken between 2011 and 2017.
By 2024, regulatory improvements had only marginally progressed since 2018, the AGCM notes.
It has issued numerous recommendations across various sectors, including energy, distribution, and mobility services.
A sector particularly highlighted is electric mobility, where significant progress is still needed.
The development of Italy's electric vehicle charging infrastructure continues, with approximately 55,000 public charging points installed against a backdrop of 250,000 electric vehicles.
Industry projections suggest this could reach 115,000 charging points and 3.7 million vehicles by 2030.
To support this growth, the AGCM advocates for procedural simplifications that lower barriers for potential operators, promoting a diverse ecosystem of service providers.
The authority's broader objective aligns with enhancing competitive market conditions across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, taxi services, and hydroelectric concessions.
By fostering a more competitive environment, Italy aims to drive economic growth and improve service quality for its citizens.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
