Athens Faces Two-Day Taxi Strike Amid Transit Adjustments

The news in Greek

1. απεργία  (f.)
   Η διακοπή εργασίας από υπαλλήλους ως μορφή διαμαρτυρίας. ↩︎
2. ξεκινώ
   Αρχίζω κάτι, θέτω σε κίνηση. ↩︎
3. διαρκώ
   Έχω μια συγκεκριμένη διάρκεια χρόνου. ↩︎
4. οργανώνω
   Συντονίζω, κανονίζω κάτι με σχέδιο. ↩︎
5. πρόβλημα  (n.)
   Δυσκολία ή κατάσταση που χρειάζεται λύση. ↩︎
6. συγκοινωνία  (f.)
   Τα μέσα μεταφοράς ανθρώπων ή αγαθών. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: How long will the taxi strike in Athens last?

Question 2: What has been increased to help citizens and tourists during the strike?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
απεργία  (f.)	strike
ξεκινώ	start
διαρκώ	last
οργανώνω	organise
πρόβλημα  (n.)	problem
συγκοινωνία  (f.)	transportation

Read the full story

A 48-hour taxi strike commenced in Athens on Wednesday morning, significantly impacting transportation within the city. The strike, led by the Syndicate of Attica Taxi Drivers (SATA), began at 06:00 and will continue until the same time on Friday. This industrial action means no taxis will be available in the Greek capital.

The strike is a direct result of failed communications between SATA and Deputy Transport Minister Kostas Kyranakis. According to SATA, efforts to establish a dialogue with the Minister have repeatedly stalled, leading the group to take action to highlight issues affecting their industry. SATA has also reached out to the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in an attempt to address these longstanding concerns.

SATA’s demands include the removal of the mandate to classify taxis solely with zero-emission vehicles starting from January 1, 2026. They also seek a clear delineation between taxi services and rental cars with drivers, stricter penalties for illegal taxi operations, and financial relief measures such as reduced VAT on professional vehicle purchases and potential fuel subsidies.

In response to the strike, public transport authorities have increased bus and metro services, especially those routes serving Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Key bus lines, including the X95, X96, X93, and X97, now operate with higher frequency. For instance, the X95 from Syntagma to the airport runs every 15 minutes, while the X96 from Piraeus to the airport departs every 12 minutes. These adjustments aim to alleviate the transportation pressure faced by residents and visitors dependent on taxis.

The metro will also see stronger service patterns between Doukissis Plakentias and the airport, particularly between 9:30 and 16:00 to accommodate peak travel periods. Passengers are encouraged to check the OASA telematics system for real-time schedule updates and adjustments.

While the strike aims to highlight significant industry grievances, its immediate impact is keenly felt by those who rely on taxis for daily commutes, as well as tourists navigating the city. The enhanced public transport measures are an attempt to mitigate these disruptions during this period of industrial action.

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