Rome is initiating a crackdown on the increasing number of golf carts used by tourists, a move fueled by complaints of congestion, illegal parking, and overtourism in the city's historic heart.
Hundreds of these eight-seater vehicles have become a common sight, navigating cobblestone streets and zipping past ancient landmarks. While advocates argue the carts are a quieter, less polluting alternative to larger tourist vans and buses, critics have labeled their proliferation an "invasion."
The surge in popularity is reflected in booking data, with golf cart tours seeing a 147% increase this summer compared to 2024, according to TripAdvisor's subsidiary Viator. Rome may have as many as 500 such carts operating within its bounds.
Parking Woes and Resident Frustration
Even before the golf cart boom, parking in Rome's historic center was a significant challenge, with limited on-street spaces and a high density of vehicles. Residents and local associations have voiced frustration over what they describe as a worsening traffic situation. Luigi la Licata, head of the Monti neighborhood association, stated that the golf carts represent the "last straw" in a long-standing issue of too many authorized vehicle types contributing to congestion.
Golf cart tours often involve stops at popular sites, and some drivers have been observed parking in areas designated for car-sharing or other restricted zones, citing a lack of dedicated parking for their vehicles. This practice further fuels resident discontent.
Regulatory Challenges and Proposed Solutions
Rome's deputy mayor for sustainable mobility and transport, Eugenio Patanè, is spearheading efforts to bring order to the city's traffic, including the regulation of golf carts. While electric vehicles have recently been made to pay for admission to the historic center, similar to gasoline-powered cars, regulating the golf carts themselves has proven complex.
Technical specifications mean some golf carts fall under existing regulations, while others operate with fewer restrictions. Furthermore, passenger transport and tourism businesses are often regulated at a regional level, complicating city-level control. Patanè has requested the region transfer this regulatory power to Rome, anticipating approval soon.
Once granted, the city plans to implement regulations that would establish fixed tour routes, cap the total number of golf carts allowed, and create a system for selecting authorized operators. "Cities where this golf cart phenomenon is expanding truly have very few weapons," Patanè said. "We will be able to regulate this phenomenon that has now become rampant and, in some cases, even worrisome."
Industry Response and Enforcement
Golf cart tour operators express concern that proposed regulations could stifle their emerging industry. Meanwhile, authorities have increased enforcement, with vehicles belonging to operators facing document checks that can last up to an hour. Penalties for operating as unlicensed private-hire vehicles or for unlicensed tour guiding can be severe, including lengthy bans from the streets and substantial fines.
Some operators believe they are facing a targeted campaign, partly fueled by complaints from established taxi and private-hire drivers who perceive golf carts as a competitive threat. Reports indicate that private-hire vans, also sometimes parked illegally, have not faced the same level of scrutiny as golf carts during these checks.
Mai ny residents, however, see the golf carts as just another element contributing to the chaos of Rome's streets, which are already crowded with cars, scooters, and delivery vehicles.
The city's transport chief noted that there are only about 4,300 regular on-street parking spots in the historic center, a figure significantly lower than the number of resident-owned cars in the area, with an additional 50,000 vehicles entering daily.