Taxi services across Attica have come to a standstill today as the Attica Taxi Drivers Syndicate (SATA) launches a 24-hour strike, protesting a range of issues affecting the industry.
The strike began at 6:00 AM on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, and will continue until 6:00 AM on Thursday, February 20.
Taxi Drivers’ Key Demands
According to SATA, the strike aims to address long-standing concerns, including:
- Access to Bus Lanes: Allowing taxis unrestricted use of dedicated bus lanes.
- Regulation of Ride-Hailing Services: Stopping unfair competition from companies using rental cars with drivers.
- Enforcement of Pricing Laws: Preventing Uber and Bolt from offering illegal fare discounts that violate state-set pricing regulations.
- Fare Collection Rules: Enforcing Law 4607/2019 (Article 75), which prohibits intermediary companies from collecting fares directly.
- Stricter Regulations for Private Hire Vehicles: Implementing a proper digital platform for ride contracts, creating a national register for rentals, and increasing the minimum contract price for chauffeur-driven hire vehicles by 33%.
- Clarification of Service Roles: Ensuring taxis remain the primary service for urban transport, while chauffeur-driven rentals are strictly for pre-arranged journeys.
- Tax Reforms: Repealing controversial tax laws and introducing a €12,000 tax-free income threshold for taxi drivers.
- Delaying the Electric Taxi Mandate: Postponing the requirement for all new taxis to be zero-emission vehicles from 2026 to 2035.
- Other Industry Reforms: Removing the airport tax, reclassifying multi-seat hire vehicles, and allowing used taxis up to five years old.
Call for Nationwide Action
SATA has called on the Panhellenic Federation of Taxi Drivers and unions across Greece to support their demands and participate in the strike.
The strike is expected to cause major disruptions for commuters, particularly at airports, ports, and major transit hubs. Authorities advise travellers to seek alternative transport options for the duration of the strike.