The continuous complaints about the taxi service in Lanzarote continue to create controversy after the lack of taxis during the past weekend in the capital of Lanzarote. The president of the San Marcial Cooperative of Arrecife, Manuel Guillén, has recognized during an interview this Tuesday on Radio Lanzarote - Onda Cero, the need for improvement and action regarding the service and his point of view regarding the possible entry of Uber and Cabify on the island.
From his point of view, he clarifies that he would like to be able to offer a good service. "What more would we want than to be able to increase the service and that the user is satisfied," he explains. Something that, according to the president of the cooperative, is not within their reach. "It is not in our hands to solve it, but we know that the problem is for the user," he adds.
The taxi driver says that solving the problems with the service is a complicated task for them. "We do not have the necessary tools or legal capacity to solve them," he says.
Nine licenses stopped in Arrecife
Of the 436 licenses that exist throughout Lanzarote, he explains that some of them have been stopped for years in the Arrecife City Council. Among them, "there are nine licenses stopped in the garages" of the capital, Guillén assures. In addition, there are another "fifteen licenses that are not working every day," he reflects. In this line, the driver highlights that at the same time there should be at least three taxi drivers operating and there are only two.
Guillén clarifies that one of the licenses was not put into operation due to lack of budget and points out that "the purchase of a vehicle for people with reduced mobility was not made for economic reasons." As is done in other municipalities, the cooperative demands that the City Council begin to initiate the procedures to release those licenses. "The necessary procedures must be initiated for the rescue of the licenses and the release of the new calls," adds the president.
The requests of the drivers are clear. The almost 40 taxi drivers demand to offer an "optimal 24-hour service," Guillén points out. "We need to keep our tools activated, to have the possibility of always being on the street," he adds with determination.
The exam to include new drivers is scheduled to be held in the capital. He reminds listeners that "there is a call for 28 drivers," and its importance for other workers. "We need drivers to move our business and a fleet working at 100%," he emphasizes.
Regarding Oswaldo Betancort's proposal on the implementation of Uber or Cabify in Lanzarote, Guillén is clear. "Everyone is free to choose the platform they want," defending the service that companies can offer. "Unfortunately, we don't have Uber or Cabify," he emphasizes. Although there are already private cars and micros that offer similar services on the island, the president is convinced that private vehicles will soon arrive, as already exists in the Balearic Islands. "It is very clear that they are going to enter, they will move heaven and earth to implement it," he adds.
Manuel Guillén clarifies that if the way of managing public transport on the island took a turn and agreements were reached, a private service would not be necessary. "If we did things well, no company would lift a finger to develop private transport in Lanzarote," he reflects. "You have to look a little further, everything is a business. Surely they will do well, since they do not have to adapt to any municipal area," he says.
"If we did things well, no company would lift a finger to develop private transport in Lanzarote"
In addition, he takes the side of the users regarding the transport service offered on the island. "The purpose is to reach the desired place, therefore, we have to prioritize their rights," he recognizes. Guillén reaffirms that the taxi drivers have also been responsible for the situation. "That we pass in front and cannot take them is the fault of the taxi driver, who does not want to reach an understanding."
He recognizes that the solution would be to broaden the perspective and, from the taxi sector, not put themselves so far ahead. "You have to look a little further, not just think about ourselves." He emphasizes that customers are the main engine of the service.
He recognizes that users need the rates to be compensated throughout the island. "We have seven municipalities and eight different rates," he says. The solution he proposes is "to make a bonus on prices", with the main objective of "not charging one price sometimes, and another at other times".
He also points out that another reason for the problem has been the attitude of the taxi drivers. "We have generated the problem by not prioritizing our profession." He concludes by recognizing that it has been a combination of circumstances that have caused the conflict. "They are a series of bad events that go against the user."
