Santa Cruz to Launch New Digital Taxi Platform in October

Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is updating its taxi service. They are introducing a new technology platform to make it easier for everyone – locals and tourists – to book taxis. This new digital system is expected to start in October.

The plan, led by the city's Strategic Planning department, includes a free mobile app and a dedicated WhatsApp number. Through these, people can instantly order a taxi or book one in advance. They'll be able to specify details like their destination, how many people are travelling, if they need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, or if they're bringing a pet. The WhatsApp option also brings together current radio taxi services and provides an easy way for older people, who might not use apps much, to book a ride.

Atlantis Tecnología y Sistemas won the contract to build and maintain this platform, a project costing almost 250,000 euros. Councilman Carlos Tarife said the system is still being developed. They plan to test it live in August and have it fully ready by October.

This new system isn't just for passengers; it also has important features for taxi drivers and city management. Drivers will be able to see where empty taxi stands are in real-time. This will help them find passengers faster, cut down on travel times, and improve traffic flow in the city. For safety, a panic button will be included for drivers. This will let them quickly contact the local police or emergency services if they're in danger.

To better serve tourists and help the local economy, the system will also offer information in different languages. While you'll still pay for your ride with cash or card, the main goal of this new system is to be more efficient and safer. The city council is paying for the entire app, so there will be no extra cost for either passengers or taxi drivers. They hope at least 80% of the city's taxis will use the new platform.