Santa Cruz Survey Highlights Taxi Shortage

Residents of Santa Cruz de Tenerife are calling for more taxis on the streets, according to a recent survey. The city council's Mobility department conducted the poll between November and December 2025 and presented the findings yesterday at the latest Taxi Board meeting. The meeting was attended by Santa Cruz Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez, Mobility Councillor Evelyn Alonso, Strategic Projects Councillor Carlos Tarife, and representatives from taxi associations.

The Mobility department reported that the survey's proposed improvements echoed demands from a 2023 survey. Citizens are asking for lower prices, more available taxis (a need that has significantly increased since 2023), more taxi stands, and a mobile app to easily request services.

When asked about the difficulty of finding a taxi, 40.3% of respondents cited major events like concerts, football matches, and Carnival. Another 36.6% mentioned problems in neighborhoods. Weekends and holidays (34.7%) and rainy or bad weather days (33.3%) were also common issues. Around 30% reported difficulties in the city center and at night. Overall, nearly two out of three people (about 65%) said they had trouble finding a taxi at some point during the period.

On a positive note, the city council highlighted a decrease in negative incidents reported by users compared to 2023.

The meeting also discussed the second study on the number of taxi licenses in the municipality. This study began on November 1st and is expected to be completed by the end of this month, according to Evelyn Alonso. She explained that the study will analyze the taxi sector's current situation.

Alonso added that the study considers changes since a 2022 report, looking at the sector's economic health, changes in taxi services, the number of taxis per resident, and a comparison of current license numbers with other similar provincial capitals. It also examines the current fare structure, the taxi fleet's condition and uniformity, service quality, the number and location of taxi stands, technology use, accessibility, environmental sustainability, urban design, and the impact on the sector.

Regarding subsidies for taxis adapted for people with reduced mobility (PMR), the city council stated that processing these payments involves many administrative steps. Delays also occur due to issues with applicants, such as missing documents or outstanding debts. The council noted the need to find solutions for the municipality's shortfall in PMR-licensed taxis.

Another agenda item was the creation of a technical working group to develop a Taxi Stand Distribution Plan. This group, with a representative from each association, will analyze proposals from the sector. Their work will include considering new taxi stands, relocating existing ones, or even removing them, as was done when the bike lane was removed from El Pilar and Villalba Hervás streets, a plan modified by suggestions from Élite Taxi.

Finally, an update was given on the tender for a new technological system for taxi service requests in Santa Cruz. Councillor Carlos Tarife explained that 12 companies submitted bids, but a special appeal in procurement matters caused a delay. Proposals were opened on November 18th and are now undergoing technical evaluation.

Mayor Bermúdez emphasized the city's long-standing commitment to improving the taxi sector's economic and working conditions, following a clear roadmap communicated through this advisory body for years.

The mayor stressed that Santa Cruz has consistently shown that dialogue is constant, transparent, and productive, and remains the best way to address the sector's concerns. He reiterated that the Taxi Board, an advisory body, has met regularly, and associations have always received detailed information, concrete proposals, and direct attention from the City Council, which has respected all technically viable agreements reached in this forum where consensus is sought.

Miguel Ojeda, president of Élite Taxi, which represents the majority of the sector on the Taxi Board, said yesterday's meeting went "very well." He noted that the association's board will meet today to decide whether to proceed with a planned demonstration on the 26th of this month.

Ojeda praised the presence of the mayor and Carlos Tarife at the meeting to share information. He also celebrated that the 2025 citizen survey showed a slightly better public perception of the taxi sector in the municipality compared to the previous one.