Rome is trying out a plan to let riders in its subway system pay for tickets by recycling cans and bottles at the station. The trial is running now at one station on each of the city’s three Metro lines.
Each recycled item generates 5c credit which is accumulated in an app. Thirty bottles is enough for the €1.50 price of a ticket. The test will run for 12 months and then be expanded or discontinued.
Rome has been struggling with overwhelming trash problems and budget shortages; Mayor Virginia Raggi hopes this will help with both. And, as another official pointed out, it may reduce the number of people riding without a valid ticket.
It seems to me a wildly optimistic idea but will be interesting to see if many will bother & if it can really save the city money.