The authority said the probe would look into a range of issues, including waiting times, how taxi metres are used and whether electronic payments for fares are accepted.
“We are gathering information to protect the market and consumers,” the authority said in a statement.
“We need to make sure that the service provided to customers is safe, efficient and of good quality.
“We can only achieve this objective by making sure competition in the sector works as it should.”
It said it had asked for information from the big taxi companies in the three cities in relation to the probe.
Reuters has reported that the authority has also called for information on parameters such as the current number of licenses and cars, from both taxi companies and the municipalities of the three cities in question.
Reports have been emerging for months about the failure to increase the number of taxi licenses in order to meet the surging demand.
Taxi drivers have long been a bullishly strong and influential lobbying force in Italy.
They have staged disruptive strikes and have vigorously resisted efforts to increase competition, including Uber operations, which have resulted in safety risks for customers.
Il Messaggero newspaper has reported that industry and transport bishops are due to meet in Rome this week with industry representatives to discuss a plan to increase the number of taxi licenses.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said on Tuesday that the government would address the problem of the nation’s taxis in the coming days with a solution based on efficiency and transparency for citizens, fairness for taxi drivers and respect of the market rules.
ANSA
