July 5, 2008

Illegal Taxis are Still a Problem

Last year, Round Town News told you about how illegal taxis were muscling in on the business of legitimate taxi drivers up and down the Costa Blanca. This month, as the summer holiday makers arrive in their droves, RTN re-visited La Marina and met up with legal taxi owner Paul, who is still surviving but only just.

When we met Paul last year, he was the only British taxi driver working for a Spanish firm. Since then, he has taken over the license of the Spanish company he was working for. To get a license here in Spain is not easy. You have to wait until someone retires and have it transferred. You cannot sell the license as it is illegal, so you have to work on a contract for one year and then apply to the relevant Town Hall for that license.

Control
The police have implemented stricter controls since our article last year, which Paul says has helped. He told RTN; “I have been speaking to police at a local level, who have been given more power. The Guardia Civil and the ‘Trafico’ office in Alicante now have more control.” He continued; “They are now able to stop fictitious companies that are operating illegal taxis but it is difficult for them to stop illegal taxis red handed on the road, so they are starting an anonymous hotline number to enable legal taxi drivers and members of the general public to let the police know when and where these rogue taxis are operating; then they will be stopped.”

Fine
Paul says that the Transport office in Alicante does have a list of illegal taxis, registration numbers and car makes and models that have been given to them by legal taxi drivers, not only in San Fulgencio municipalities but municipalities up and down the Costa Blanca. Paul commented; “Legal drivers have got together and submitted this list, because at the end of the day it is their livelihoods at stake.” He continued; “Illegal taxi drivers may think they are getting away with it, but the transport office and police are aware of who they are; it is only a matter of time before they get caught.” The maximum fine, should you be found guilty of operating an illegal taxi, is 3,000 euros and not only would you incur a fine, the car would be confiscated and you would have to appear in court.

Nonsense
Paul told us of one illegal taxi from La Marina caught on the outskirts of the urbanisation. Not only did he not have a license to carry paying passengers, he didn’t have a driving license or insurance! Paul said; “What would have happened if he’d had a crash? The occupants would not be covered for medical treatment unless they had their own private health care plan. The irony of it is that he was charging 35 euros for an airport run and I only charge 25 euros, so the ’bar room myth’ that legal taxis are more expensive is absolute nonsense.” As a result, the passengers almost missed their flight. The police didn’t care whether the passengers arrived at the airport on time; they were only concerned with arresting the driver. Paul commented; “Is it worth the risk?” All adverts in newspapers have also been reported to the transport office and police and these too will be investigated. Paul hopes that these issues will soon be resolved and he can then get back to doing what he does best. The English run taxi firm, based in La Marina, works with fifty drivers from all areas and does airport runs, meets and greets as well as legal transfers.

To find out more, go to www.englishtaxilamarina.com or call 697 381 381. You can also e-mail at contact@englishtaxilamarina.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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