The history of taxis in Patras and of our Radio Taxi firm
1920
The first taxis
The first motorized taxis appeared in Patras in the second decade of the 20th century. These taxis provided a service for the city bourgeoisie, transporting the ladies who wore the long dresses of that era and functioning on something like an appointment system. When the taxis arrived at the pick-up point, the drivers used to toot the horn so that they could be heard! We don’t know how many of these first taxis there were in the city.
1930
Limousines
In the 1930s, about 35 large limousines appeared in the city - with large head lights and spoked wheels. The taxi ranks for these limousines were in Trion Symmachon Square, Georgiou Square and Ypsila Alonia.
1960
An increasing number of taxis
After the war, the taxi fleet gradually began to grow. However, the big increase in numbers came from the 1960s and 1970s up until 1989. Today, according to the data gathered by our Association, there are about 700 taxis operating in the city of Patras.
1980
The first radio taxis
The first radio taxis were established in Greece at the beginning of 1980, and Patras was the second Greek city to have radio taxis. This first radio taxi company was called Hermes and had 27 taxis. Gradually, other taxi drivers joined the firm and by the end of the 1980s it had about 255 cars and had changed its name to Radiotaxi Patras - the name it retains to this day (RADIOTAXI PATRAS 18300).
2007
Our Cooperative
In April 2007 we changed our legal status and became a cooperative. Our official title is: "Transportation Tourist Cooperative P.E. Radio Taxi Patras Cooperative Ltd."
2020
Our Radio Taxis
Today, Radiotaxi Patras has 380 taxis, a nine-member Board of Directors, a three-member Supervisory Board and a five-member Disciplinary Board. It has seven staff-operators (with between 23 years’ and 1 year’s experience) and works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It operates using two frequencies and in the morning shift we have two operators working. The members of our Board of Directors are as follows:
President: Konstantinos Tzouvekas Vice President: Vasilios Giannakopoulos G. Secretary: Charalambos Kordas Treasurer: Michail Manolopoulos Head of Network: Antonios Dimitrakopoulos Head of Public Relations: Christos Papalexopoulos Member: Dionysios Stergiou Member: Andreas Vassilopoulos Member: Ioannis Kontis
TODAY
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL AROUND PATRAS, ACHAIA OR ELSEWHERE?
RADIOTAXI PATRAS 18300 can respond to your call immediately!