Identification
Lisbon taxis use to be very cheap and plentiful. They remain easy to find but no longer are they the bargain they once used to be. A Taxi Voucher scheme has now been iintroduced to guarantee a price for journeys from the airport and also for many other tourist trips. For example a voucher to most parts of Lisbon costs 18.60 euros (2009) and can be obtained from a stand in the concourse of Lisbon airport. The taxi rank is immediately outside the front doors and even if the queue is big, you won't have to wait long.
All new taxi vehicles are caramel coloured, as shown in the picture above, taken at the Cais do Sodré in May 2007. It shows a Cascais Line train and a Lisbon-bound tram as well as the taxi, which is using the reserved tram/bus lane. The vehicles carry a white lozenge-shape on the door bearing the word 'TÁXI', beneath which is the word 'LISBOA'. Older taxis also bear this identifier, but are painted black with a turquoise/green roof and a number of taxis in this livery are still operating.
Fares
Taxi fares are calculated on the basis of an initial flat charge (called the "bandeirada" or "flag-fall"), which applies for the first section of the journey. Fares thereafter are calculated per distance covered. In addition, if the taxi has been called out, rather than hailed in the street there is a small surcharge. If luggage is carried, a further modest sum is charged. Fares from the airport to most locations in central Lisbon have gone up quite steeply in the last two years. Meters are displayed in all licensed taxis, along with the driver's identity card, so the fare should not come as too much of a shock.
Tariffs for journeys within the city limits vary depending whether the journey is on a working day or at another time. Tips are voluntary; 10% is the norm.
L to R: An old-style black and green taxi in the Praça do Comércio and an even older taxi, pictured at Calvário, July, 2000..
Taxi Ranks
Taxi ranks abound in Lisbon; amongst the most busy is the one at Rossio (west
side)..
Radio taxi centres are to be found on the following telephone numbers:
(01) 815 50 61 or 812 50 60 or 793 27 56. Complaints should be addressed to the Associação
dos Transportadores Rodoviários em Automóveis Ligeiros-
ANTRAL - Rua Dr António Cândido 8, 1050 Lisboa (tel: (01) 356 38 35); ANTRAL also has a website.
Copyright: ©
Compiled by John Laidlar
14 July 2009
