Two-day taxi work stoppage in Athens - Taxi drivers in Athens stage a 48-hour walkout
Athens Endures 48-Hour Taxi Strike, Affecting Tourists and Traffic
Athens is grappling with a 48-hour taxi strike beginning today, with the city's thoroughfares expected to be obstructed by taxi convoys this weekend. The action is in response to the contentious taxi and Uber policies at Athens Airport and the Ministry of Finance, which has pitted the city's approximately 14,000 taxi drivers against these services.
Travelers, particularly tourists, are feeling the brunt of this conflict. Some may find their journey between the city center and the airport hindered as they navigate the city's public transportation system, which is likely to experience increased demand during the taxi strike. As many as 10,000 German tourists are currently in Athens, making their travel plans potentially problematic.
The source of the discord lies in the preferential treatment given to Uber vehicles at the airport, where they are allowed designated pick-up spots in the arrivals area. Traditional taxi drivers contend that this gives Uber drivers an unfair advantage, as they can pick up passengers on demand through the app, while taxis often endure lengthy waits for customers.
Another point of contention is the Ministry of Finance's set fare for trips between the city center and the airport. During the day, the fare is 40 euros for the approximately 38-kilometer journey, increasing to 55 euros at night. However, taxi drivers argue that this fare does not cover their costs due to traffic volume and varying distances.
The ongoing issue illustrates a broader conflict between licensed taxi drivers and ridesharing services, with prayers for clearer legal separation between taxis and chauffeured rental vehicles, as well as stricter enforcement against illegal transport services.
Public transit authorities have responded to the strike by increasing the frequency of key airport buses and adding extra metro trains during peak hours on the Blue Line to the airport. While Uber services remain technically available during the strike, securing a ride may prove more challenging due to heightened demand.
AthensTaxiUberTourismMinistry of FinanceAirport
- The contentious taxi and Uber policies at Athens Airport, determined by the Ministry of Finance, have sparked a 48-hour taxi strike that is likely to affect tourism in the city, particularly for the 10,000 German tourists currently in Athens.
- The industry's interpretation of the set fare for trips between the city center and the airport, as determined by the Ministry of Finance, has led to dissatisfaction among taxi drivers, who argue that it does not fully cover their costs due to traffic volume and varying distances, hence the taxi strike.
- The broader conflict between licensed taxi drivers and ridesharing services, such as Uber, in Athens, entails prayers for clearer legal separation between taxis and chauffeured rental vehicles, as well as stricter enforcement against illegal transport services in the automotive and transportation sectors.
