WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from Portugal


CABBIE SCAMMED OUT OF £4,500 AFTER 780-MILE JOURNEY


Two men have been arrested after allegedly tricking a taxi driver into a cross-country trip that spanned nearly 800 miles and ended with- out payment. The pair, aged 50 and 23, convinced the driver to take them from Lisbon, Portugal, all the way to Barcelona, Spain. They claimed they had lost their wallets and promised they had already paid the fare via bank transfer, but the driver eventually realised he had been duped out of roughly £4,500 - a total that included the 15-hour drive, road tolls, and even meals the driver had kindly paid for along the way. The scam came to an end in the village of Hostalric when the duo attempted to book yet another taxi, this time for an 80-mile trip across the border into France. A spokesperson for the Mossos d’Esquadra police force confirmed the arrests, stating: “Two men have been arrested on suspicion of fraud over a taxi journey between Barcelona and Lisbon that allegedly went unpaid.” One of the suspects was already known to police for similar behaviour in other Spanish cities. After their capture, the police spokesperson added: “Both men have been handed over to the courts so they can take over the ongoing investigation.”


from Ireland


WATCHDOG CALLS FOR IRISH TAXI REFORM TO END CHRONIC SHORTAGES


Ireland’s consumer watchdog is urging the Government to slash red tape and allow ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt to operate freely. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) warns that strict regulations are causing a


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severe supply crisis, leaving passengers stranded. Research shows 40% of people struggled to find a taxi in December, while two-thirds of rural residents say there are not enough cars. CCPC chairman Brian McHugh stated: “Regulatory barriers in the taxi market have failed to facilitate innovations that have flourished in other countries and consumers are suffering as a result.” A major sticking point is the rule requiring new drivers to have WAVs. Mr. McHugh described this as a “blunt instrument” that prevents part-time drivers from using their own cars. He argued that “consumers shouldn’t be faced with long waits or the possibility of staying home due to a lack of taxi availability.” While supporting safety checks like Garda vetting, the watchdog insists the market must open up to new entrants to provide the choice and reliability the public deserves.


from Greece


GREEK CABBIES THREATEN ESCALATION AS STRIKE TALKS COLLAPSE


Greek taxi drivers have vowed to intensify protests across the country as a major strike over new regu- lations continues. Drivers are marching on the government's headquarters in Athens, demanding the withdrawal of laws they claim favour private rental companies and “lead us to ruin.” The dispute centres on a mandatory switch to electric vehicles by 2026 and strict new criminal record checks for licences. Union leader Paris Orfanos warned: “If our demands are not satisfied, we will intensify our mobilisations.” A televised “clash” between Union President Thymios Lymberopoulos and Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis highlighted the deep divide. Lymber- opoulos accused the minister of acting as a “lawyer for private companies,” while Kyranakis argued the reforms are essential for safety, stating, “someone convicted of assault cannot be driving a taxi.” While the government claims it has met several driver demands, it refuses to budge on fare increases or allow taxis unrestricted access to bus lanes. Authorities have also signalled a crackdown on the “shadow market” for taxi licences, which reportedly sell for up to 150,000 euros despite much lower official valuations.


MARCH 2026 PHTM


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