Passenger war: Santa Cruz taxis versus tuk-tuks
A conflict is brewing in Santa Cruz between taxi drivers and tuk-tuks, which plan to transport tourists at low prices, causing outrage among the local taxi association.
A war is brewing in Santa Cruz between taxi drivers and tuk-tuks – three-wheeled motorcycle taxis for six people that plan to transport tourists at low prices. The local taxi association "La Gremial del Taxi" has already stated that it will fight this "interference" that takes bread away from taxis. They demand a detailed report on the situation from transport official Evelyn Alonso at the next meeting of the taxi council.
As explained by the president of "La Gremial," Zebenzui Pérez, back in November last year, a company from Tenerife wanted to obtain a parking permit for tuk-tuks on one of the streets of Santa Cruz, but they were refused because the documents did not mention this type of transport.
Pérez says that although tuk-tuks are not currently operating in the city, they are standing in a garage waiting for permits. They say that these vehicles, which do not fall under local transport laws, want to "slip through" a loophole. They cannot travel faster than 40 km/h, and they do not need a license to transport tourists. Local laws do not regulate them, so they refer to national laws.
The president of "La Gremial" emphasizes that now that tuk-tuks in Santa Cruz have become known, they are asking the transport official to carefully analyze the situation: to study the laws, the experience of other cities where they operate or where they have been banned, and to find out whether they have the right to exist and how to prevent not only their parking but also their operation in general. The report should be presented at the next meeting of the taxi council so that taxi drivers know what is happening.
"La Gremial" believes that taxis should not continue to be pushed off the roads in favor of private transport companies, as has already happened with the tourist bus. "It is already difficult for us because of Uber and Cabify, which create unfair competition for taxi drivers who pay taxes," they say.
Now, tuk-tuks, electric cars without doors, which already operate in other cities on the island, such as Adeje, have been added to this threat. There, private companies offer their services via the Internet at prices ranging from 12 to 200 euros if you order private tours.