Rising fuel prices are putting increasing pressure on taxi drivers in Greece, prompting the president of the Athens Taxi Drivers’ Union (SATA), Thymios Lymperopoulos, to call for changes to taxi fares, lower fuel taxes and a delay in the mandatory transition to electric vehicles.
Speaking to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, Lymperopoulos said the current taxi meter rates no longer reflect the cost of operating a taxi.
“The taxi meter doesn’t work out with the cost having risen as it has,” he said, arguing that both the standard and night rates should be adjusted.
Drivers struggle with higher costs
According to Lymperopoulos, taxi drivers are absorbing a significant share of rising fuel costs while other operating expenses remain high.
He warned that the situation could become unsustainable if fuel prices continue to rise.
“If fuel taxes do not fall and this increase continues, it will soon be impossible for us to be able to drive,” Lymperopoulos said.
He also pointed to broader problems affecting the sector, including the existing legislative and tax framework and the overall operating conditions facing taxi drivers.
Domestic demand falls after mid-month
Lymperopoulos also said demand from Greek customers has declined noticeably since the middle of the month.
He attributed the drop to limited household incomes, which he said are prompting families to reduce spending on transportation.
Tourism, however, provided a significant boost to taxi demand in Athens during the summer, according to the SATA president.
Electric vehicle transition raises concerns
The mandatory transition of taxis to electric vehicles is another major concern for the sector.
Lymperopoulos said the difficulties associated with the transition are greater than the industry had initially expected. According to figures he cited for Athens, only 18 taxis have been replaced with electric vehicles since the beginning of the year.
He attributed the limited uptake partly to the high operating costs of electric vehicles and the lack of certified repair shops able to service them.
“There are no certified repair shops for even a simple problem. It has to go to the dealership and wait for months,” he said.
Lymperopoulos called for the deadline for the mandatory transition to be extended.
He also argued that other vehicle technologies, including hybrids, should be considered, saying there are alternative options for reducing emissions.
Source: tovima.com
