The companies Bird Rides Italy S.r.l., EmTransit S.r.l. and Lime Technology S.r.l. appear to have prevented Metrebus subscribers from using their free ride package

The Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into Bird Rides Italy S.r.l., EmTransit S.r.l. and Lime Technology S.r.l. over a possible unfair commercial practice in relation to the electric micromobility sharing service in the Municipality of Rome.

The three operators, the sole providers authorised to deliver micromobility services (e-bikes and e-scooters) within the municipal territory for the 2023-2026 period, seem to have prevented the use of free ride packages reserved for citizens with an annual Metrebus card (which grants users access to local public transport in Rome), by considerably delaying the activation of the free package (so-called Pass).

In particular, the complaints received by the Authority reveal that annual Metrebus card holders who use their account or create one specifically to benefit from the free ride package, experience lengthy waiting times between requesting activation of the Pass and being able to use it. Customers who sent reminders and complaints to the companies’ customer service reportedly received inconclusive responses instructing them to wait for their request to be processed.

Inspections at the premises of the three companies were carried out on Tuesday 25 November by the Authority’s officials, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza).

Rome, 27 November 2025