Parliament approves stricter penalties over ‘pirate taxis’
Stricter penalties targeting so called “pirate taxis” operating illegally were unanimously approved by parliament on Thursday.
The amendment to regulations on taxi drivers introduces increased criminal and administrative sanctions for those operating without the required permits.
It allows authorities to impose penalties from the first offence, including suspension of a category B driving licence and the vehicle’s registration licence, while also enabling confiscation or immobilisation of vehicles.
It also grants the licensing authority the power to file criminal cases before a court and removes the previous requirement for repeat violations before administrative sanctions are applied.
Penalties will remain in force until fines are paid, replacing earlier provisions for a fixed three-month period.
At parliament, drivers delivered a memorandum to transport committee chairman Alekos Tryfonidis, who said the issue had been under review and that further reforms were expected.
He said unpaid fines were limiting the effectiveness of enforcement, saying “even if fines increase, they pile up and no one pays, with the result that these illegal taxi drivers actually increase”.
Tryfonidis, who proposed the legislation, said the aim was to address a phenomenon that has reached “alarming proportions”, adding “we cannot turn a blind eye”.
He said the proposal followed consultations with authorities and professional groups and sought to balance enforcement with legal considerations.
MPs across parties supported the measure while raising concerns about implementation.
Independent MP Costas Efstathiou said the key issue remains proving offences, remarking that enforcement challenges affect professional drivers.
Disy MP Demetris Demetriou described illegal operations as “a huge issue” linked to demand, supply and limited controls, adding the proposal would not fully resolve the problem but could reduce its scale.
Akel MP Valentinos Fakondis said the phenomenon is “rampant”, pointing to unfair competition and the need to protect both drivers and passengers.