The San Miguel de Abona City Council faced criticism and demands from the PSOE and the Association of Taxi Drivers (Atasma) yesterday, regarding the “lack of advancements in the issuance of new taxi licences” and the infrastructure of the Las Chafiras taxi stand. The local PSOE highlighted that “it has advocated for proposals in the municipal plenary session to expedite the issuance of licences and enhance the conditions of the stop”, whereas the ruling party, the Canary Coalition, cites administrative and technical constraints.
Recently, the PSOE introduced a proposal to hasten the issuance of four new taxi licences, as recommended in a socioeconomic analysis conducted in 2022 to accommodate the municipality’s population increase. Nevertheless, CC opposed the initiative, asserting that “the delay in the process is caused by the technical staff being overworked.” Lot García, the first deputy mayor and councillor for employment, explained yesterday that, “although the file has not been intentionally stalled,” the limited resources prevent them from “addressing all matters simultaneously.”
Moreover, the PSOE spokesperson, José Carlos Rodríguez, emphasised that the expansion of the taxi fleet “would benefit” both locals and tourists. “While nearby municipalities such as Granadilla have already implemented measures, San Miguel continues to delay the issuance of these licences,” he stated, noting that delivery was promised to salaried taxi drivers in 2023.
In addition to the licences proposal, the socialists also highlighted the necessity of relocating and enhancing the taxi rank in Las Chafiras, proposing a new one in front of the town’s primary petrol station. This facility would provide adapted features such as canopies, seating, and toilets.
The president of Atasma, Lucio Donate, conveyed his dissatisfaction with the stagnation concerning the new licences and also supported the proposal to relocate the stop in Las Chafiras, emphasising the need for “a more spacious area.”
Lot García clarified that the council “cannot yet determine a definitive location due to the ambiguity surrounding the available land until the construction of the Las Chafiras industrial estate is finalised,” a project expected to be completed in the first half of 2025.
