A taxi driver in Piraeus, is accused of threatening four 17-year-old passengers after they refused to pay an excessive fare. The incident occurred during a ride that began at the Kifissos Bus Terminal in Athens and was headed to the port of Piraeus.
The route, which normally costs between €11 and €17, reportedly turned into a distressing experience. According to the mother of one of the children speaking to MEGA, the driver later justified the inflated demand by citing heavy traffic: “During the ride he tells them there’s traffic, you’ll give me 80. Luckily my son called me immediately and I told him not to give anything, and my husband called him and said he would call the police and asked for his license number.”
The minors claim the driver initially demanded €40 for the short trip, nearly double the standard fare. When the teenagers continued to refuse the inflated fare, the driver allegedly demanded €40 and told them to get out in the middle of the road, while threatening them with violence. One of the 17-year-olds said: “He was calling me spoiled, saying he would beat me up. He was standing in front of the hood, which was open, and he wouldn’t let us remove the license plates, so he left with the trunk open.”
The incident has sparked strong reactions, as reports of overcharging by taxi drivers appear to be increasing. Citizens are calling for stricter inspections by the relevant authorities to prevent similar cases of exploitation and intimidation.
