Fixed fares from the taxi rank at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport started on 15 October. On a weekday between 07:00 and 22:00, a trip inside Lisbon is €16 in zone 1 and €19 in zone 2. The rank is not yet limited to accredited drivers.
Carlos Silva, president of the Portuguese Taxi Federation, told Lusa that the barrier is in place but does not yet stop cars by their number plates. Accreditation began on 15 October. He expects plate checks, and boards showing the fares in arrivals and outside the terminal, in early November. Until then, he said, the fixed fares apply and drivers who are not yet accredited can still work the rank.
He put Lisbon’s fleet at 3,500 taxis, and said perhaps 500 drivers want the airport. Any taxi licensed in Lisbon can join once the driver is accredited. Those figures are his.
The prices
ANTRAL says the price is closed. It covers up to four passengers and ordinary luggage, with no extras. Between 22:00 and 07:00, and on weekends and national holidays, zone 1 is €20 and zone 2 is €23.
A larger taxi that is actually carrying more than four passengers is €20 or €23 on a weekday daytime, and €24 or €28 at night, at weekends and on national holidays.
Zone 1 is Alvalade, Areeiro, Avenidas Novas, Beato, Lumiar, Marvila, Olivais, Parque das Nações, Penha de França and Santa Clara. Zone 2 is Ajuda, Alcântara, Arroios, Belém, Benfica, Campolide, Campo de Ourique, Carnide, Estrela, Misericórdia, Santa Maria Maior, Santo António, São Domingos de Benfica and São Vicente.
The fares apply only to trips that start at the airport rank and end in Lisbon. A passenger can buy a voucher at the Lisbon Tourism Association desk in arrivals, or pay in the cab. Cabs that join must take a bank card and MB Way, with no surcharge for the way the passenger pays.
The prices are set by the tourism association. They are voluntary for drivers who sign up. They are not a fare fixed by Lisbon City Council. DECO has already questioned that arrangement.
Silva also wants the flat fares extended to Moscavide, Sacavém and Prior Velho, in neighbouring Loures. A short trip just past Parque das Nações still goes on the meter. That extension is not in the protocol.