The long-standing demand of taxi drivers, following suggestions from the unions, for vehicles with six to nine seats, based on the new bill of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, is becoming flesh and blood, bringing major changes to the movement of passengers

The new bill that is in Parliament allows the replacement of cars in certain areas and under conditions. In particular, it is allowed to replace circulating E.D.X. car taxis, which have as their headquarters an administrative unit belonging to the Regions of Attica, South Aegean, Ionian Islands, Crete and the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki of the Region of Central Macedonia with passenger cars from six to nine seats, which carry a taxi meter.

Taxi unions see this development positively, with the view that drivers will be able to better serve their customers in the country’s urban centers and tourist areas.

“The fellow taxi driver of Thessaloniki will now be able to convert his five-seater taxi into either seven or nine-seaters. To serve the passenger public with more seats. That is, a family of five or six should not take two taxis, but take a seven-seater or nine-seater. This will help both tourism and within the city. We believe it will be better and more economical for the traveling public. This service exists everywhere in Europe. The time has come for it to operate in Greece as well”, the president of the “O Ermis” Taxi Owners Association, Klimis Leontiadis, reports to ThessToday.gr.

“We’ve been asking for it for many years – It’s been going back for many years”

He adds that many taxi drivers are waiting for the passing of the bill in order to buy multi-seater vehicles for a larger number of passengers in their races. “We have been asking for it for many years. It goes back many years. Now we see it ending. From what it seems, it will not be extended to all of Greece, but at least to the big cities and the tourist areas”, comments Mr. Leontiadis.

The specific bill was posted for public consultation until the end of February, however it has not yet passed the voting process due to the national tragedy of Tempe. Regarding the price of these taxis, Mr. Leontiadis emphasizes that there are expected to be surcharges depending on the number of passengers.

Demand for cameras in taxis – ‘It’s a matter of safety’

Asked about the issues facing the industry, he spoke about taxi drivers’ request for cameras in their vehicles, which has not been implemented until now due to the Privacy Authority. As he underlines, however, “it is a matter of security”.

More specifically: “For years we have been asking to have the right to put cameras inside taxis and there is an obstacle due to the Personal Data Protection Authority. We cannot have cameras everywhere in all shops and banks and taxis should not be given this right. The issue with the robberies that have taken place in Thessaloniki has become even more intense. There have also been beatings, while in the past we also had a murder in Thessaloniki.”

Based on the warnings of the train drivers’ unions about the incomplete infrastructure and the serious problems in the railway network, Mr. Leontiadis emphasized to ThessToday.gr that the voice of the trade unionists should be heard and taken into account by the local authorities.

“Transport has more general problems. We are here to highlight them”, as he notes. “When the trade unionists ask and shout, those who govern must also listen to us. Train unionists have been talking about lines and infrastructure for years now. For whole years we see that some things are not done. Everyone knows about their profession. Unionism must have a voice.”