Venice Cracks Down On Coloured Water Taxis

words by Carol King Venetian local authorities are looking to reduce the proliferation of colours seen on the city’s water taxis. Gondolas are usually black and water taxis monochrome in colour. The Italian media reports that vessels are now sporting white, red, purple, yellow, brown and grey livery. Traditionally, water taxis are made of wood and are painted white or left natural. However, as fibreglass vessels have become more common, so the number of coloured vessels has grown. The local authority is seeking to introduce regulations that require the vessels to be painted black because the new colour palette is regarded as gaudy and lacking in decorum. At present, the number of coloured vessels is insufficient to spoil views of the city, however it is a growing phenomenon. The councillor responsible for mobility, Ugo Bergamo, told ‘La Nuova Di Venezia e Mestre’: “I think [the problem] should be addressed by amending the [current] regulation, particularly with regard to the granting of new licenses.”