Chaotic scenes in Athens’ bus lanes have sparked renewed debate over traffic management as officials consider allowing taxis access to those dedicated lanes.
Bus driver Makis Panagopoulos, with 24 years of experience, told the press: “The bus lanes haven’t worked for years. They are completely decorative.” He recalled the once-effective lane on Ippokratous Street that now lies abandoned, overtaken by parked vehicles. “They used to work, but now parked vehicles have taken over. What bus lane are we talking about, then?”
Recent studies by the Athens public transport authority revealed that only one in every 12 vehicles in bus lanes is a bus, while motorcycles, private cars, and other vehicles dominate. Taxi union secretary Paris Orfanos added, “In Tirana, taxis regularly use the bus lanes. In Greece in 2025, we’re still discussing it.” He argued: “It’s a fair measure, not a union scheme. First of all, it will serve the public, allowing them to reach their destination more economically, quickly and safely.”
Critics, however, warn that permitting taxis in bus lanes could lead to the gradual disappearance of those lanes altogether. “Given the very high number of taxis in Athens, it is obvious that if they are allowed to use the bus lanes, the lanes will effectively be abolished and public transportation will be further downgraded,” said transportation expert George Yannis, who noted that the number of taxis in Athens is almost double the European average, with 40 taxis per 10,000 inhabitants, compared to 22 taxis per 10,000 inhabitants in European cities.
Thanasis Tsianos, president of the Association of Greek Transport Engineers, stated, “Regarding whether taxis should be allowed in bus lanes, there is no simple yes or no answer.”
“It is important to encourage taxi use, but in the right way, by creating taxi stands and zones where their circulation is permitted. However, this requires strategic planning and political will,” he added.