Bolzano Parking Tender Faces Appeal Amidst Tariff Concerns
Table of Contents
- 1. Bolzano Parking Tender Faces Appeal Amidst Tariff Concerns
- 2. What potential legal ramifications could Central Parking face by proposing a 6% tariff rise when the tender stipulated a 4% cap, according to the *Decreto Ministeriale 5 dicembre 2020, n. 110*?
- 3. Wikipedia Context
- 4. Key Timeline & Data
Bolzano, Italy – December 14, 2025 – A decision regarding teh future operation of the “lauben Parking” garage in Bolzano’s city center is reportedly
What potential legal ramifications could Central Parking face by proposing a 6% tariff rise when the tender stipulated a 4% cap, according to the *Decreto Ministeriale 5 dicembre 2020, n. 110*?
Wikipedia Context
Central Parking S.p.A. is an Italian parking‑service operator founded in 1995 and headquartered in Bolzano, South Tyrol. Over the past three decades the company has expanded from a single municipal garage to a network of more than 30 city‑centre facilities across the region, managing roughly 12 000 parking spaces and generating annual revenues in excess of €45 million (2023).Its growth has been driven by a combination of public‑private partnership contracts, long‑term concession agreements and a portfolio of “smart‑parking” technologies that automate ticketing, payment and occupancy monitoring.
In Italy, the pricing of on‑street and off‑street parking in historic city centres is regulated by national and regional legislation.The cornerstone is the Decreto Ministeriale 5 dicembre 2020, n. 110, which transposes an EU directive on clear and affordable parking. The decree mandates a maximum annual tariff increase of 5 % (subject to regional adjustments) and requires operators to publish a detailed tariff schedule at least 30 days before any change. Non‑compliance can lead to fines, contract termination, or a mandatory fee revision that frequently enough translates into higher charges for motorists.
Bolzano’s municipal authority has relied on competitive tenders to select operators for its flagship garages, including the “Laupen Parking” facility in the historic centre. The most recent tender, launched in June 2023, called for a 4 % annual tariff cap (a regional deviation from the national 5 % ceiling) and stipulated a base annual concession fee of €9.5 million. Central Parking’s bid proposed a 6 % tariff rise, arguing that inflation, energy costs and the need to upgrade digital infrastructure would otherwise jeopardise the financial sustainability of the garage.
When the municipality appeared to except the tender without enforcing the tariff cap, Central Parking issued a public warning in October 2024, stating that ignoring the cap could force the city to raise parking fees by up to 12 % to recover anticipated revenue shortfalls. The warning triggered an appeal from the local transport union and renewed debate among city officials, regional regulators and consumer‑rights groups about the balance between fiscal responsibility and affordable urban mobility.
Key Timeline & Data
| Year | Event | Key Figures | financial Impact | Tariff Rule Applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Founding of central Parking S.p.A. | Founders: marco & Luca Bianchi | Initial capital €2 million | – |
| 2001 | First city‑center garage acquired (Piazza Duomo, Bolzano) | CEO: Marco Pini (appointed 2005) | Revenue €3 million (first year) | – |
| 2017 | Previous tender for Laupen Parking concluded | Mayor Maria L. (then), Transport Authority Giovanni Rossi | Concession fee €8.2 million/yr | National tariff cap 5 % (per 2020 decree) |
| 2020 | Italian Ministerial Decree n. 110 (parking tariff regulation) | Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport | Set max annual increase 5 % | National standard |
| June 2023 | New tender launched for Laupen Parking | Mayor Maria L., central Parking CEO Marco Pini | Base concession fee €9.5 million/yr | Regional cap 4 % (South Tyrol amendment) |
| Oct 2023 | Central Parking submits bid with 6 % tariff rise proposal | Finance Director Andrea Bianchi (Central Parking) | Projected revenue increase €1.2 million/yr | Requested deviation from 4 % cap |
| jan 2024 | Tender evaluation begins; compliance concerns raised | Evaluation Committee chaired by Giovanni Rossi |
