By Francesca Romana Riello
Five additional wheelchair-accessible taxis will be deployed to improve evening transport for people with disabilities in Verona, particularly during performances at the city’s Roman Arena, while also filling any gaps left by the standard taxi rota. The expansion brings the total number of accessible taxis operating in the city to 19, strengthening a service that has been in place for more than two decades.
The five vehicles joined the fleet of Verona’s RadioTaxi Cooperative during the Paralympic ceremonies held in March, where they were driven by the cooperative’s employed drivers. They will now be assigned to dedicated evening shifts throughout the Arena season, operating from 8pm until 2am—the period when thousands of spectators leave the historic centre simultaneously after performances.
The additional shifts are designed to increase transport availability for passengers requiring specially equipped vehicles during periods of peak demand, while also ensuring cover when the accessible taxis normally in service are unavailable.
Nineteen Accessible Vehicles Across the City
Verona has a total of 177 licensed taxis. Under regional regulations, at least five per cent of the fleet must be equipped to transport passengers with disabilities—a requirement that, in Verona’s case, amounts to around nine vehicles.
In practice, however, the city provides more than double that number. Fourteen drivers within the RadioTaxi Cooperative have been authorised for more than 20 years to provide accessible transport using specially adapted vehicles.
Those are now joined by five additional cars purchased by the cooperative in February using its own funds and fitted specifically to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Originally intended as reserve and support vehicles, they are now being integrated into the city’s transport network to strengthen capacity during the busiest periods.
Extra Capacity for Arena Nights
The five dedicated vehicles will operate every evening during the Arena season from 8pm until 2am. They will also be available to cover any unfilled shifts throughout the day and night, supplementing the existing fleet of accessible taxis already serving the city.
Passengers can book an accessible taxi by contacting the RadioTaxi dispatch centre on +39 045 532666 or through the AppTaxi platform, which operates around the clock.
“For more than 20 years, 14 drivers within the cooperative have been authorised to transport people with disabilities using specially equipped vehicles,” said Daniele Garonzi, president of the Unione Radio Taxi Verona. “Earlier this year, the cooperative further strengthened the service by purchasing, with its own resources, five additional reserve and support vehicles adapted for accessible transport.”
He added: “This new initiative completes our offering for passengers who require specially equipped vehicles, particularly those travelling to and from the Arena’s major evening events, while also allowing us to cover any gaps in the service throughout the 24-hour operating cycle.”
Alessia Rotta, Verona’s councillor for major events, said the aim was to ensure the city could maintain an adequate level of service during periods of exceptional demand.
“The objective was to guarantee reliable transport even at the busiest times, such as during the Opera Festival,” she said. “Verona already offers dedicated transport services for people with reduced mobility, but we are committed to strengthening that provision as much as possible and delivering the highest standard of service for both residents and visitors.”
Covering Service Gaps Beyond the Arena
The initiative extends beyond Arena performances. The five additional vehicles will also be deployed whenever the regular rota of accessible taxis is unable to meet demand over the course of the day.
With 19 accessible taxis now available, Verona comfortably exceeds the minimum threshold required under regional legislation. Even so, vehicle availability ultimately depends on shift patterns and operational schedules, and the new initiative is designed to address precisely those moments when demand outstrips supply.
During the opera season, the greatest pressure falls in the evening, when large audiences leave performances at the same time and demand for transport rises sharply. The five additional accessible taxis are intended to reinforce capacity during these peak hours, ensuring that passengers who rely on specially adapted vehicles have greater access to transport when they need it most.
