Santa Cruz Denies Tuk-Tuk Tourist Service Permission
Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has denied permission for Toke Tuk to launch its electric tuk-tuk tourist service, citing a lack of proper municipal authorization for using public spaces.
Tuk-tuks, the three-wheeled electric vehicles, won't be allowed to operate as a city tourist service in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, for now. The City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife announced yesterday, through its Department of Employment, Commerce, and Tourism, that it has denied permission for the company Toke Tuk to start its operations without proper municipal authorization. This decision specifically prohibits the company from using public spaces for the nine regular stops and three photo stops it had requested. Toke Tuk had planned to begin its tours this week. Copies of this resolution have also been sent to Strategic Planning, the Local Police, and the Urban Planning Management.
The City Council explained its refusal to authorize the stops by stating that since the activity is a business using public land, the Council's involvement through authorization or a special permit is necessary. This is to protect important public interests like managing traffic, controlling public spaces, environmental protection, addressing technical limitations, and ensuring public safety and health.
The Council also noted that any rules and restrictions it sets for such activities must be as fair as possible for businesses. As an example, it mentioned the tourist bus service, which was granted a similar public space permit by the Governing Board on February 24.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez emphasized that this activity does not have city authorization and therefore requires a special permit to operate. He also stressed that the City Council will strictly follow all regulations, as it does with all administrative processes.
Additionally, the City Council plans to inform the Ministry of Tourism of the Canary Islands government about Toke Tuk's proposed activity to check its legality. The company has also been reminded that it must obtain the necessary authorization or permit to use any municipal public space.
The resolution detailed the communications submitted to the City Council, pointing out that Toke Tuk has not provided proof of any license for tourist or passenger transport. Furthermore, the city's Traffic Ordinance does not cover general road use for tuk-tuk vehicles, meaning the company's request cannot be granted.
Toke Tuk had previously informed the city's Mobility department that its sustainable tourism service would cater to users booking through its website (which is active but not yet interactive). The company clarified that it would not offer a private transport service with a driver (like a taxi), but rather tourist excursions with pick-up and drop-off points in private areas, such as hotels.
Regional laws suggest that the Canary Islands government, not the City Council, is responsible for authorizing the start of tourist activities like these closed-circuit tuk-tuk excursions, as this power has not been delegated to the City Council. However, the municipal resolution states there is no record of Toke Tuk having notified the regional government about its activity, which could prevent them from operating.
Toke Tuk had outlined its plans on the 20th, stating it would start with 12 employees and five tuk-tuks in the municipality, offering private tourist tours, and donating a portion of its earnings to social causes like Amate. In response, the local taxi sector announced it would take action if the City Council allowed what they called "uncontrolled intrusion."