Puerto de la Cruz Approves New Regulations to End Years of Tow Truck Service Instability

Puerto de la Cruz has finally resolved an eight-year administrative struggle by approving new regulations for its municipal tow truck service. This move clears the way for a long-delayed tender, ending a period of legal uncertainty that has plagued the city since 2018.

Following the expiration of the original contract, the service was managed by Grúas Juanele without a valid legal framework. This instability led to significant issues, including disputes over unpaid invoices and a 2024 labor strike that halted vehicle removals. The situation became so severe that the municipal impound lot is currently holding nearly 200 vehicles—a stark contrast to the usual annual average of 50.

The city’s new plan, led by the Administrative Concessions department and the Local Police, involves a ten-year, 6.3-million-euro contract set to go to tender this October. These new regulations do more than just update paperwork; they set clear requirements for the future contractor and establish strict protocols for handling abandoned vehicles.

Under the new rules, cars left on public roads for more than two months will be subject to a formal removal process. Before any vehicle is sent to a treatment center for destruction, the Local Police must conduct thorough checks to confirm ownership and protect the rights of the owners. Additionally, the new contract mandates that the impound lot must operate 24/7 with high-level security, including video surveillance and digital management systems.

Mayor Leopoldo Afonso and Councilman Pedro Antonio Campos view this as a vital step toward restoring efficient, legally sound public services. By moving away from years of improvisation, the City Council aims to regain control over local traffic and mobility. The success of this initiative now rests on the city’s ability to finalize the tender and secure a reliable contractor to manage this essential service.