As the featured image “clearly shows”, when in Palermo, ape-men enjoy exclusive use of special, clearly-signposted, simian-friendly taxis.
The photo (copyright Doug Spencer, taken in Sicily’s capital city at 12.32 pm on 23 September 2023) has not been “doctored” – it contains no “fake news”.
“Ape” is a two syllable Italian word.
It is Italian for “bee”.
You are looking at the taxi version of a three-wheeled, light commercial vehicle, adapted from the Vespa scooter.
”Vespa” is Italian for “wasp”.
The Piaggio Ape was initially marketed as a VespaCar or TriVespa.
From 1948 to 2013, Piaggo – Vespa’s parent company – continuously produced millions of Apes, in many different versions.
Italian production ceased in 2013, but many Apes still scoot along Italian streets.
Since 2013, most new/ish Apes have been manufactured in India; in Asia, Apes and Ape-like vehicles are a familiar sight. You would likely know them as auto rickshaws or Tuk Tuks.
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Palermo bills itself as the most-invaded city on earth; it will receive more attention in future, multi-image posts