Athens taxis are yellow, but some have a horizontal blue stripe that makes them stand out. What is its significance?
The important role of taxis in the movement of citizens is undeniable, since they deliver passengers exactly to their destination, unlike other modes of transport, which run along predetermined routes (and the stop is not always located near your home).
As you know, the first taxi appeared in the Greek capital in 1902, although they say that private cars plied here before… along “pirate routes.” Since then, they have filled the streets of Athens, becoming completely distinguishable to those who look for them thanks to their intense color. However, on their bodies there is also blue line running around the perimeter of the car, just below the windows and windshields. Some noticed her, others didn’t. However, few people know the reason for its existence.
About obligatory existence blue lineas well as its characteristics, are stated in Article 7, paragraph 2 of the 1984 law, signed by the then Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Aslanis. All taxi carsbased in an administrative unit belonging to the Athens-Piraeus-suburbs area, have an external paint job of any shade of YELLOW (preferably RAL 1012 or RAL 1021), with the exception of a strip of four to six centimeters wide running along the perimeter of the vehicle and between the lower part of the windows and door handles, solid DARK BLUE.
The rationale for requiring a blue stripe (painted, not adhesive) on taxis is the ministry’s attempt to effectively separate taxis from regular yellow cars that may be driven illegally for profit. Let us finally recall that the reason for choosing yellow taxi robe is that this color attracts attention more easily, especially at night, when taxis do not stop moving along the streets.
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