Rome’s public transport operator Atac will deploy 60 private security guards to escort fare inspectors on buses and in the metro, following a rise in assaults against staff—especially on surface routes in the city’s outskirts.
The Lazio Region approved the measure recently in mid-November, allowing guards to join Atac’s 237 inspectors after a short training period. The aim, officials say, is to protect frontline workers and increase passenger safety.
Atac Director General Paolo Aielli said the measure strengthens both safety and enforcement. He explained that the Region has authorized private security guards to join the control teams in order to protect inspectors working on the street, provide greater security for passengers, and support the fight against fare evasion.
Guards—armed or unarmed depending on assignment— are expected to support teams on high-risk routes and during nighttime shifts. Their presence is expected to deter aggression and improve compliance. The initiative strengthens Atac’s broader anti-evasion strategy, which includes anti-jump turnstiles, Tap&Go contactless payments, and more frequent inspections.
Despite limited coverage—7% of bus riders and 3% of metro passengers—Atac issued nearly 180,000 fines in 2024, recovering €6.6 million. The company hopes escorted inspections will allow staff to expand checks safely and raise revenues.
Atac must still finalize an agreement with labor unions before launching nighttime inspections, as encounters with fare evaders can lead to violent incidents.
To read the original article, click here [in Italian]: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/25_novembre_19/roma-su-bus-e-metro-atac-controllori-scortati-da-60-guardie-giurate-09b76612-0e08-4673-b89e-a9a44a45axlk.shtml
