Athens taxi drivers announced a new 48 hour strikewhich will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20–21by decision of their union SATA.
The strike will begin on Tuesday at 06:00 am and will end at 06:00 am Thursday, January 22, 2026as stated in the union’s official statement.
This is the next stage in the escalation of protests, which SATA warned about even after the Christmas holidays, announcing a transition to “rolling” strikes.
Taxi drivers say refusal is the main reason for the conflict Deputy Minister of Transport Constantinos Kiranakis meet with industry representatives.
The list of drivers’ requirements is extensive, but the key ones remain three points:
- mandatory taxi transfer to electric carseffective January 1, 2026;
- right of use bus lanes;
- admission multinational companies in the field of passenger transportation using minibuses.
What causes particular dissatisfaction is electrification of taxis. In addition to the high cost of purchasing an electric car, drivers point to the lack of a developed network of charging stations.
“What should I do? Constantly looking for a charger and losing working hours? – taxi drivers ask themselves.
According to SATA, in Athens today only 80–85 electric taxis from the general park approximately 14,000 cars. Throughout the country there are about 200.
The union demands postponement of the mandatory transition to electric vehicles at least until 2025.
Despite the fact that taxi drivers have repeatedly carried out 48 hour strikesthey never achieved tangible concessions from the government.
“The minister is acting arrogantly” – drivers note, while acknowledging that the government as a whole is demonstrating a tough position towards representatives of the middle class and the self-employed.
More Stories
24-hour strike of seafarers: ferries and ships will remain in ports on March 5
Exhibition of designer handmade jewelry “An unbreakable thread of times and peoples”
Free events on Apokria and Clean Monday: where to go in Athens