Professional taxi drivers have warned of an indefinite strike starting 27 January unless the government takes immediate action to dismantle illegal “pirate” transport networks that they claim have brought their industry to the brink of collapse.
During a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, members of the Paphos Urban Taxi Association gathered at Paphos International Airport, describing a “war” against legal operators and accusing the Ministry of Transport of failing to honour previous commitments to improve conditions.
The drivers identified “piracy”—the illegal transport of passengers by unlicensed private vehicles—as their most critical threat. While once a sporadic issue, operators claim the phenomenon has now grown to “uncontrollable proportions” across Paphos and the wider island. The financial strain is so severe that drivers at the airport reported waiting up to a full 24 hours just to pick up a single fare.
Beyond unlicensed privateers, the protesters highlighted a growing conflict within the industry itself. They alleged widespread “base violations,” where rural and intercity taxis are illegally operating urban routes within city centres, further diluting the market for local professional drivers. “Our sustainability is under direct threat,” a spokesperson for the Paphos drivers stated, noting that these overlapping violations are exacerbating an already fragile economic environment.
The demonstrators also directed their frustration at Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, demanding he fulfil promises made during an onsite visit several months ago. Specifically, drivers are calling for infrastructure facilities at Paphos Airport to streamline the passenger pick-up process for legal operators.
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