An urgent bill targeting taxi “piracy” has been tabled in parliament, aiming to curb illegal passenger transport by private cars and app-based operators.
Transport Committee chairman Alekos Tryfonides described the move as a “major step,” saying the draft followed consultations with the Transport Ministry, the Licensing Authority and professional taxi organisations.
The proposal includes substantially higher fines, suspension of professional driving licences, possible suspension of personal driving licences, and detention or immobilisation of vehicles caught operating illegal taxi services.
Taxi representatives argue the framework is needed to close loopholes that, in their view, remained after 2024 changes and allowed piracy to continue.
Pan-Cyprian Urban Taxi Union president Dinos Constantinou said work on the text was completed in about six weeks, with expectations of a near-term plenary vote.
According to the same statements, the issue is framed not only as market fairness but also as a public-safety matter for passengers using unlicensed transport.
