Taxi drivers staged protests in Nicosia on Tuesday morning, voicing their frustrations over what they term illegal competition and escalating costs in the industry. Drivers gathered at the GSP stadium before forming a convoy to key government buildings, including the transport ministry, parliament, and the presidential palace.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Shortly after 9am, the convoy arrived at the transport ministry, only to discover that Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades had departed just before their arrival. This absence sparked outrage among the drivers. “Once again, the minister has left, he did not stand up to face our colleagues, to explain to them what the solutions are that we have been trying to find for years regarding piracy,” said Konstantinos Konstantinou, president of the taxi union Poat. He expressed disappointment, stating, “He fled and we are very disappointed; it shows the seriousness with which this ministry is dealing with us.”
Nicosia taxi representative Pambos Avgoustinos added to the criticism of the minister’s absence, indicating that respect must be earned. “This man seemed so cowardly; we have no respect for him,” he said, capturing the sentiment of many drivers who accused authorities of indifference towards their plight.
At parliament, taxi drivers delivered a memorandum and engaged in discussions with transport committee chairman Alecos Tryfonides. He acknowledged that the issue of illegal taxi operations had been under examination since the committee’s current term began. While a broader reform of the taxi sector is anticipated to be presented in June, he emphasised the need for interim measures sooner. “Even if fines increase, they pile up there and no one pays, with the result that piracy not only does not decrease but increases,” he stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The final destination of the convoy was the presidential palace, where drivers handed a memorandum to senior administrative officer Irene Andreou for President Nikos Christodoulides. Konstantinou labelled unlicensed operators as “the cancer in this sector,” arguing that illegal activities by individuals and platforms threaten the livelihoods of licensed drivers who bear the tax burden. “Taxi drivers work from dawn till dusk to earn a living wage; they pay social security, VAT, income tax, everything,” he asserted. “The others work without taxi licences, with private vehicles, illegally, without insurance and without a criminal record check.”
Drivers declared their intent to continue mobilising until enforcement improves and legislation safeguarding licensed operators is enacted. The strike was initiated after the taxi drivers’ union issued an ultimatum to authorities last week, demanding written responses and legislative proposals within three working days. They warned that failure to comply would result in ongoing and intensified strike action, holding authorities accountable for any disruption to transport, tourism, and the economy.
The core grievance revolves around the operation of private vehicles acting as unlicensed “pirate” taxis, which drivers claim are illegally transporting passengers and soliciting fares in public areas such as squares, ports, and airports. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding certain transport applications that undermine the legal status of licensed urban taxis, creating uneven competition in the market.
Alongside these issues, rising operating costs were highlighted as another significant challenge for taxi drivers. “The sector has been brought to its knees by unbearable operating costs, due to the pirates who have taken a large percentage of the pie that is ours,” they lamented. Drivers are also advocating for improved organisation of taxi parking areas at Larnaca and Paphos airports and are seeking permission to utilise bus lanes at departure areas to enhance passenger service.
