Taxi services across Greece face renewed disruption this week as drivers launch new strike actions on Tuesday and Wednesday, escalating a dispute with the government over regulation, taxation, and competition in the transport sector.

48-Hour Strike in Athens Area

After a three-day walkout last week, taxi drivers in the Athens metropolitan area began a new 48-hour strike on January 20 and 21. The action was announced by the country’s main taxi drivers’ union, which has also called for a protest gathering on Tuesday morning at a major exhibition venue in western Athens.

In a statement, the union accused the Transport Ministry of refusing dialogue and imposing policies without consultation. It said the strike is a response to what drivers see as the steady erosion of their profession and rushed lawmaking that ignores their concerns.

Key Demands of Taxi Drivers

Taxi drivers are calling for a gradual transition to electric vehicles rather than what they describe as a forced shift. They also want a clear regulatory framework distinguishing traditional taxis from private cars operating with drivers.

Other demands include measures to curb what they describe as unfair competition from multinational transport platforms, access for taxis carrying passengers to dedicated bus lanes, and changes to the tax system to end presumptive taxation practices they consider excessive. The union has also raised objections to a broader transport-related bill currently under discussion.

Thessaloniki Joins with 24-Hour Walkout

In northern Greece, taxi drivers in Thessaloniki will hold a separate 24-hour strike on Wednesday, January 21, from 5 a.m. until early Thursday morning. The decision was taken unanimously by the city’s taxi drivers’ association.

Drivers plan to gather with their vehicles near a large indoor sports arena before staging a convoy to the airport and later to regional government offices, aiming to draw attention to their demands.

Growing Pressure on the Government

Union representatives say strike action has become the only way to push back against what they describe as political indifference and policies imposed without meaningful discussion. Warning that taxis “will not remain silent,” they signal that further protests could follow if talks with authorities fail to deliver concrete changes.

The strikes are expected to affect urban transportation and airport access, with passengers advised to plan accordingly.