Italy Fines E-Scooter Operators €2.7 Million Over Free-Ride Restrictions in Rome

The penalties follow an investigation by the Italian Competition Authority, known as AGCM, into the companies’ handling of benefits promised to holders of annual Metrebus passes, according to an Aug. 16 report by Italien.news.

Lime received the largest fine at €1.4 million, while Dott was penalized €525,000. Bird was fined €750,000, including an additional €450,000 penalty related to the suspension of customer accounts without advance notice or an opportunity for affected users to challenge the action, the publication reported.

The enforcement action raises questions about how private mobility companies deliver consumer benefits tied to municipal transportation agreements, particularly as European cities increasingly incorporate shared electric vehicles into their public transit networks.

Under Rome’s micromobility licensing arrangements, introduced in 2023, the three operators agreed to provide eligible annual Metrebus subscribers with a designated allocation of complimentary short-distance journeys.

However, according to the regulator’s findings cited by Italien.news, the companies failed to establish adequate administrative systems and staffing to ensure customers could access those benefits.

Subscribers encountered lengthy delays in processing applications and activating their free-ride packages. Customer service inquiries frequently received automated responses or went unanswered, according to the report.

Those delays were particularly significant because the complimentary ride credits were subject to expiration periods, reducing the time available for customers to use benefits they were entitled to receive.

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The investigation, which began in November 2025, focused on whether the operators’ administrative practices unfairly restricted access to services promised under their agreements with the city.

Italy’s AGCM is responsible for enforcing competition rules and consumer protection regulations, including investigating commercial practices considered unfair or misleading.

The case also highlights potential challenges for Rome’s transportation strategy, which relies partly on shared scooters and bicycles to supplement conventional bus and metro services.

By connecting commuters with public transportation stations and providing alternatives for shorter journeys, these services are intended to reduce dependence on private cars and support lower-emission urban mobility.

The disputed benefits primarily affected residents and regular commuters who purchase annual Metrebus passes, rather than tourists and occasional visitors who typically pay standard rental charges, Italien.news reported.

The three operators had not publicly responded to the penalties at the time of the original report.

The companies have the right to challenge the regulator’s decisions before the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, which handles appeals involving administrative decisions in the region.

The penalties come during a significant period for Rome’s shared mobility market, with the existing operating licenses scheduled to expire in 2026.