According to a report by Kathimerini, a pair of Australian tourists were left in shock when their cab ride from the port of Piraeus to the central Athens neighborhood of Pangrati came with a staggering 350-euro fare.
After they protested, the driver reluctantly reduced the charge to 250 euros, which was still far from reasonable. Although they paid the fare, the tourists noted the license plate number and reported the driver. The saga didn’t stop there; Airbnb, through which the tourists had booked their accommodation, intervened. This led to the driver apologizing and returning the money.
A taxi driver who shared this particular story also mentioned the infamous "mafia" of cab drivers who target unsuspecting tourists at ports, airports, and intercity bus stations. This driver asserted that neither the taxi union (SATA), the police, nor municipal authorities can clamp down on these practices.
The incident with the Australian tourists might have occurred yesterday or ten years ago, but anyone who frequently travels between Piraeus and Athens knows exactly what to avoid. Some taxi drivers openly criticize their exploitative colleagues because they know these actions cast a dark shadow over the entire profession. It’s an open secret that certain drivers make a substantial living by overcharging passengers, particularly those who don’t speak the local language. While some drivers discuss this issue openly, understanding its broader implications, others choose silence.
The surge in tourism has driven up the demand for taxis. Users of cab-hailing apps find it difficult to secure rides, as many drivers prefer more profitable fares over less lucrative ones. Additionally, there’s the issue of numerous drivers not having card payment terminals, despite them being mandatory. The taxi industry exemplifies a broader reluctance to adapt to modern standards. Although many taxi drivers perform their jobs admirably, the numbers of unethical drivers seem to grow faster than those of diligent, honest ones. This reluctance to evolve is not confined to the taxi industry alone.
Simply advocating for modernization without implementing it sincerely is like having a POS terminal that's always "out of order."
