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Dartford/Okcular
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More Dalaman Airport Transfer problems?
Just read this in the Fethiye Times online. Seems like the taxi drivers are revolting again.
According to some sources the Dalaman Airport Taxi drivers are gearing up for another summer of disruptive action. But will the controls introduced by the authorities satisfy the yellow perils?
In June last year, as the tourist season just started to get into full swing, a campaign was launched by the resident airport taxi co-operative to rid the airport of ‘cowboy’ transfer companies. It began with the disgruntled taxi driver’s blockading the approach road to the airport and operating their own checkpoint. But what initially began as a blitz to rid the airport of the cowboys ended up turning into a full scale assault on anyone or any vehicle that was not suitably registered or that the authorities suspected may have been carrying out a private transfer being refused entry and passengers forced to walk to the terminal or take a taxi.
Fethiye Times featured reports from readers who had endured the security grilling and it renamed ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ by some who likened it to the famous crossing point into Communist Berlin during the Cold War.
The campaign eventually died a death and access to airport returned to normal. But, according to some sources close to the airport transfer business, the taxi drivers are again becoming restless and blaming their lack of business on cheaper private transfer services, the Havas Bus and anyone else transporting people legally or illegally to and from the airport.
Last Tuesday the Fethiye Times ageing car was stopped at the security control point at the entrance to the airport. Our documents were thoroughly checked and our registration details and name and address recorded on a spreadsheet (note: there is no number plate recognition or other clandestine system used here as some people think). The Police Officer thought he had found a problem with our vehicle visa but then admitted he had made a mistake with the dates and we were OK. We said that the Brits are well trained in making sure our vehicles are legal after years of MOT’s, tax and the like back in the UK. But the officer replied ‘Not according to the foreigners cars I check here. I find that for many of them their vehicle papers are wrong/out of date and they think they can escape a fine by pleading ignorance – they don’t!” So there’s a warning to you!
After the details were recorded and our papers returned to us we were free to pass through. But, as we left the airport later, we passed by a joint Tax Office and Police road block on the main road towards Dalaman Town. Thankfully we weren’t stopped again saving us a delay in a baking hot car. But how many others were stopped that day?
So maybe the newly introduced measures will stop a repeat of last year’s debacle. But then again, maybe they won’t. Why? Because as more and more savvy travellers shun the expensive airport taxi service in favour of cheaper and better quality alternatives, the taxi drivers are bound to lose out and get angry.
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