What's it like to be a taxi driver in Kefalonia?

How easy is it, after all, for someone to make a living driving a taxi? Is it a promising profession or a constant struggle for daily wages? Many believe that taxi drivers have an easy job, transporting passengers from one point to another, but the reality is very different. Behind the wheel, most of the time taxi drivers face endless working hours, physical and psychological strain, financial insecurity, and ever-increasing competition.

Especially in areas with high seasonality, such as the islands, the difference between summer and winter is enormous. “In the summer, we work many hours a day to make enough to get through the winter,” taxi drivers in Kefalonia tell us.

The Kefalonian Globe spoke with several taxi drivers in Kefalonia, all of whom shared their perspectives on the difficulties and challenges of the profession on the island. “In winter, things are very tough,” says a driver from Argostoli. “There's a 95% drop in work compared to summer. We earn about 20-25 euros a day, while fixed expenses are 35-40 euros.”

The season on the island starts in May and lasts until the end of September, with the majority of customers being visitors from other countries, and their arrival peaking in July and August. “First are the British, then Italians, Germans, Dutch, and we also have many from America.” The most popular taxi routes, as drivers operating in Argostoli and the Skala area tell us, are airport – Skala, Argostoli – Lassi, Fiskardo, Assos, while from the Lixouri area, most customers head towards nearby beaches such as Myrtos, Xi Beach, Petani Beach, Agia Kyriaki Beach, and the airport. In fact, a large volume of work for taxis in Argostoli is also generated by cruise ships arriving with tourists who often turn to professional drivers to enjoy the island's beauty.  

However, the profession is no longer as lucrative as it used to be. “Apart from 2019 and 2022, which were two good years for tourism, the other seasons didn't have much intense tourism,” a local taxi driver tells us.

The daily life of a taxi driver

Taxi drivers in Kefalonia adapt to the needs of the tourist season. “In winter, I mostly operate in Argostoli, while in summer, routes include the airport, Sami, Poros, and generally the ports,” a driver based in Argostoli told us. The difference between seasons is chaotic: “Many colleagues don't work in winter and have a second job to cover their needs.”

Traffic is one of the biggest problems during the summer season. “The main roads of Argostoli have been turned into pedestrian zones, traffic lanes have been restricted, and with so many cars, the situation becomes suffocating.”

However, finding a taxi in the summer is not so difficult. “You might have to wait 10-15 minutes due to long distances, but taxis are sufficient for the island's needs.”

The roads and infrastructure problems

One of the biggest complaints from drivers concerns the condition of the road network. “Most roads are full of potholes, there are no markings in many places, and especially at night, driving can become dangerous,” say drivers from Argostoli. In the Skala area, the main coastal road has serious pothole problems: “With the rain, the backfill falls off and you can damage your car,” the drivers explain to us. In Lixouri, however, things seem to be better. “The roads in Lixouri are good, they're fixing them,” says Gerasimos Katsivelis, president of the Lixouri Taxi Association “Agioi Anargyroi.”

At the same time, Mr. Katsivelis emphasizes that one of the issues occupying drivers is fuel, which, because it is an island, is more expensive than on mainland Greece. On this issue, there is unanimity among all drivers, with some suggesting government intervention for more affordable fuel for commercial vehicles.

Research and reality

The research by the National Technical University of Athens entitled "Investigation and Evaluation of the Existing Situation and Development Policies of the Taxi Market in Athens (2020)" on behalf of BEAT / FREE NOW, portrays a difficult reality for professionals in the sector. Its results are revealing: 67% of taxi drivers in Athens work for more than 12 hours a day, with 20% of their kilometers being empty, without passengers. In addition, 96.3% of drivers stated that they work six days a week, while 55.3% even work seven days a week to make ends meet. This exhausting work reality has serious consequences for both the professional and personal lives of drivers, as the balance between work and rest is almost non-existent. At the same time, the lack of renewal of the taxi fleet due to financial difficulties exacerbates the problem, with more atmospheric pollutants and increased noise in cities. These data show that the profession needs immediate support from both the state and new technologies.

Despite the difficulties, the taxi driving profession also offers some advantages

Autonomy: Taxi drivers enjoy relative autonomy in their working hours and methods.

Social contact: The profession brings the driver into daily contact with many different people, offering variety and opportunities for socialization.

Knowledge of the city: By driving daily on the roads, taxi drivers gain excellent knowledge of their city, which can be useful in various situations.

What does it take to be a good taxi driver in Kefalonia?

It's not enough just to know how to drive well to become a successful taxi driver—especially on an island like Kefalonia, where the roads have their quirks, tourists often get lost, and summer temperatures test everyone's patience.

Among other things, politeness, knowledge of foreign languages, and patience are required. “You have to be clean, have a good car, and know at least English,” a driver tells us. “If you are polite, foreigners also leave a tip. The British and Americans usually leave a good tip.”

Good knowledge of the roads and "hidden" routes

Kefalonia has narrow, mountainous passages and some routes that become “clogged” in summer. A good taxi driver must know the alternative routes, but also where the best spot is for a tourist to take a picture!

Patience and composure

From drunk tourists to customers who change their mind halfway through the journey or who don't know where they are staying, the taxi driver must be calm and polite.  

Communication skills & politeness

A good taxi driver is not just a driver, but also a tour guide, a psychologist, and often... a diplomat! They must be able to have an interesting conversation with the customer. And that's usually where it's judged whether they'll receive a tip or not, as the drivers tell us.

Adaptability & inventiveness

A cancelled flight can fill the island with desperate travelers. A good taxi driver knows how to adapt their work to unforeseen circumstances.

A taxi driver in Kefalonia is not just a driver, but part of the visitor's travel experience!

What does the future hold?

Despite the difficulties, most drivers believe that taxis in Kefalonia have a future. “The profession has a future in Lixouri. If you love the job, you will never be without a daily wage,” emphasizes Mr. Katsivelis. However, the transition to new technologies, such as electromobility, seems difficult. “Electric taxis are not yet cost-effective for us because they don't cover enough kilometers. In summer, with the air conditioning, the battery will run out quickly, and it will take several minutes to charge. Or even if it doesn't run out, if the battery is low and a customer comes who wants to go a long distance, what will I tell him, 'sorry, the battery won't be enough'?” local drivers comment in unison.

The profession of a taxi driver requires patience, endurance, and professionalism. As they themselves tell us: “If you have a desire to work, you will succeed. You must have patience both in summer and winter for different reasons.”

Epilogue

The taxi driver profession remains a tough struggle, especially in areas like Kefalonia, where seasonality determines incomes. Drivers are called upon to adapt to new conditions, endure financial burdens, and compete with other forms of transportation. Nevertheless, the job remains fascinating for those who love driving and interacting with people.