Transport experts in Greece suggest that the integration of ridesharing services in Greece, and specifically into the Greek islands’ transportation system, is a way to address challenges of mobility for the evolving needs of the economies, local population, and travelers on the islands.
In 2023, the Greek islands experienced a significant increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year, which placed a considerable strain on local road transport services, especially during the peak summer period.
This influx of tourists has led the local road transport services struggling to meet the high seasonal demand. While taxis, public buses, and rental cars are the primary modes of public transportation on the Greek islands, there is a growing need for more flexible, efficient, and affordable ways to get around.
The introduction of ridesharing services to complement public buses and taxis is not just a matter of convenience but also a necessity for promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth.
The taxi-to-traveler ratio on the islands across Greece is very low, averaging only 12 taxis per day for every 10,000 travelers during peak tourist season. The gap in the road transport system, highlighted by the limited number of buses and taxis, and insufficient frequency, creates a clear need for the introduction of ridesharing services.
Ridesharing, which includes various models, such as on-demand ride services through platforms using private vehicles operated by professional or non-professional drivers, could significantly improve mobility on the islands.
Additionally, e-hail taxi services provide similar on-demand rides with set pricing as regulated by law.
Another model is ride pooling, which allows users of the platform to share rides in private vehicles with other passengers traveling similar routes.
Finally, ridesharing services in Greece could offer employment opportunities for locals year-round, helping to mitigate the not-insignificant unemployment rates that especially affect areas outside of peak tourist seasons, thus boosting local economic growth.
