The Cabildo of Lanzarote, led by President Oswaldo Betancort, has decreed the implementation of a Joint Provision Zone for the taxi service throughout the island, to guarantee efficient mobility during the Christmas festivities. This exceptional measure will be in effect from 9:00 a.m. on December 22, 2024, to 3:00 p.m. on January 7, 2025.
This decision responds to the needs expressed by the town councils of Arrecife and Tías, as well as by the Lanzarote Tourist Federation, who warned the Island Institution of the significant increase in the demand for taxis that occurs during the Christmas period due to the multiple festive events and the arrival of tourists.
Oswaldo Betancort has highlighted the importance of this action: "We want to guarantee that all citizens, residents or visitors, can enjoy these holidays with comfort and safety, while supporting a key sector such as the taxi sector, which is essential for mobility and tourism on our island."
The resolution promoted now by the Corporation was agreed after a technical meeting in which representatives of the island's taxi sector, the municipalities and the Cabildo itself participated. The island's Minister of Transport, Domingo Cejas, has referred to the numerous working meetings held during this term of office with representatives of the sector, "a line of collaboration that is allowing - with the help of associations and town councils - to launch a joint mobility strategy led by this Cabildo; and that is something I must thank all those involved for."
Cejas insisted that this initiative to create a joint provision zone "ensures that both residents and visitors can count on an efficient and quality taxi service during one of the busiest times of the year. And it helps us to continue implementing similar measures at other times."
Guaranteeing the service on key dates
The resolution establishes that taxis with island authorization may operate throughout the island under certain conditions to avoid unfair competition and promote balanced attention. These include that at the César Manrique de Lanzarote Airport and in the seaports, in times of high influx, taxis from other municipalities may pick up passengers when no local vehicles are available.
On the other hand, in municipalities with high demand, the reinforcement of taxis from other municipalities will be allowed in specific areas that require it. And on December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1, restrictions are relaxed to facilitate mobility during these dates, maintaining the prohibition of attracting customers outside the municipality of residence unless it is previously required to perform a service outside its municipal area.
Legal framework and control work
The measure is based on article 151 of Royal Decree-Law 5/2023, which defines the transport of passengers by taxi as a service of public interest, and on the Canary Islands Road Transport Planning Law, which grants the Island Councils the power to establish joint provision zones. In addition, it is aligned with the Island Plan for Sustainable Transport and Mobility 2024-2031, which prioritizes the regulation and optimization of the taxi sector.
The Cabildo will coordinate the control work through the Transport Inspection Services, in collaboration with the Local Police and other security forces. This will ensure compliance with regulations and the correct implementation of the Joint Provision Zone.
The initiative is part of the Cabildo's strategy for the continuous improvement of public services, especially at key moments such as Christmas celebrations, seeking to meet the growing demand and ensure safe and fluid travel for users.
