Tiredness is already great, but the approximately 200 taxi drivers who are protesting at the airport of Faro promise not to budge until the Uber Law does not fall. Some came from close by (Loulé and Faro) others from further afield, such as Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira, but all are moving for the «fight» against the «death of taxis».
It is at the end of the straight that gives access to the Airport of Faro that since Wednesday, September 19, taxis have been parked. The traffic constraints are great, with the entire circulation being diverted by the GNR to a single lane, but the taxi drivers guarantee that they will not demobilize.
Paulo Reis, from Lagos, has been a taxi driver since 1991. «I've been here since 7:00 am on Wednesday. Tiredness is already felt a little bit. I only went yesterday to take a shower and came back, but the fight for our rights makes us want to stay here», he tells the reporter Sul Informação.
Platforms such as Uber and Cabify, the two that operate in the Algarve, have been stealing work from him, he claims. The law that regulates electronic passenger transport platforms, remember, will enter into force on 1 November.
«In Lagos, we are 30 taxis for 80 Ubers. Let the government see this because no one is going to demobilize until the law falls. I have children who have to be supported», he exclaims.
One of the next actions of this protest against electronic transport platforms could be a nationwide demonstration to bring together all taxi drivers in the country.
José Inácio, also a taxi driver in Lagos, welcomes the measure. “I'll be there for all the demonstrations that come there”, he says, next to the trunk of the taxi where he has already set up a sun hat and some chairs.
«I brought food for the first few days and soon I'll get more. These are difficult days, but with willpower, we will win», he says. And what about the harm of having the taxi stopped since Wednesday? "It's some, but I'm very proud that we're fighting to overcome this situation," he shoots.
From Portimão, came Joaquim Andrés who also confesses to being "motivated to continue fighting".
“If I need to go to a general demonstration, I will. This is a very just cause at all levels, even economic. The law will bring a parallel activity that the Government will have to resolve next. I hope the parties will look at this carefully,” he tells our newspaper.
The President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has already gone public considering this protest as something "normal". Next Monday, the taxi drivers will be received at the Presidency of the Republic, but the Head of State assured that the decision is "in the hands of the Assembly of the Republic".
For José Inácio, the question is just one: “the taxis are killing”.
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