Tap&go, three out of ten users choose it to travel on Rome’s public transport
Constantly growing in numbers the digital ticketing system Tap&go, is becoming the Romans and tourists favorite way to travel. Introduced in October 2022 on all means of transport in Rome, it allows passengers to pay the ticket simply by holding their credit card or debit card near the validator,
Deputy Mayor for Mobility Eugenio Patanè, recently released a few figures on the use of Tap&go, claiming how "the city of Rome" was the "first in Italy to have invested in the development" of the system "both on the underground and aboveground public transport vehicles (buses, trams, and trolleybuses), covering all assets".
From October 2022 to May 2024, in terms of metro and surface, almost 47 million taps were made, reaching peaks of almost 100,000 taps in one day. In May 2023, just one year ago, the average daily tap was around 52,000 taps, while in May 2024 it reached over 88,000 taps, with an increase of +70%. Patanè further explained, "Termini Station registered the record of usage though impressive numbers were also registered at other stations such as Ottaviano, Spagna, and Colosseum, and also at important exchange hubs of San Giovanni and Tiburtina".
The introduction of ticketing digitalization, which will now continue with the introduction of MaaS as part of Rome's UPPER measure 6 is ensuring better accessibility to public transport and paving the way for the future of public transport in the Eternal City. The next step will be, in addition to MaaS, the possibility of providing multi-ticketing through tap&go, i.e. being able to buy multiple tickets with the same card at the same time, which is being developed.
Eugenio Patané has hailed the system as accessible and efficient and said it will go some way to combating fare evasion on Rome buses. "Before you had to go around the city, to newsstands and tobacconists, to look for tickets" - said Patané - "From now on you can get on the bus and pay with your mobile phone and your credit card."
To learn more about Rome's UPPER measure click here
photos @atac