Taxi Drivers on the warpath

For many years, legal and licensed Taxi drivers in the Torrevieja area, and elsewhere, have had to compete with ‘the airport run’ competition; a battle that, until recently, they had almost lost. Last week saw an altercation between a local Taxi owner in La Mata and someone whom allegedly is providing a transport service to their company’s clients, or as they would refer to them here, a 'Pirate Taxi'. It’s a situation that almost every expat is aware of. Make a couple of phone calls and someone shall know someone who can run you to the airport, the hospital, downtown, etc, for a few bob less than a local taxi can.

For years, police round Alicante airport have been on the lookout for regular cars, visiting the airport. There is a fine line to be drawn between running friends and family to their flights, a service provided by real estate companies, hire firms, hotels and the local man with van, who is happy to make a few extra euros driving people they’ve never ever met before, to wherever they want to go.

The recession has not only hit local business but also the Taxi Drivers themselves. Clients think twice about making that trip, car pool with friends, just do without or, in a rare case, flash their free Bus Pass and save on their carbon footprint. Thus many taxi drivers are finding it hard to make a living and certainly can’t compete against non-licensed individuals as they have to pay for their vehicle, its upkeep, local, taxes, higher insurance rates and that all important licence, all of which makes up your ‘fare’.

The issue of Pirate Taxis goes a little further than saving a few euros on a run to the airport. One should realize that these operators do NOT have the correct public liability insurance, should they be involved in an accident PLUS, should your mode of transportation be stopped at a police road check, there is a good possibility that you will be asked to unload all your luggage and stand by the side of the road, while all documentation is gone through. This may be an inconvenience in itself but not as inconvenient as missing your flight because of such a hold up, plus you shall not have anyone to try and ask for compensation for!

The local taxi Association are in talks with the Police forces to see what can be done about the situation and already undercover officers have been noting cars, especially if on UK plates, that are regularly travelling to the airport, hospital, health centres and shopping centres. The day of the black market cab is certainly not over but it may be more difficult to find one in the very near future!

Keith Nicol