The new regulations introduce a revised system of shifts and breaks, mandatory uniforms, technological modernisation, and a clearer sanctions framework, aiming to guarantee quality service for the public.
The City Council of La Laguna, through the Mobility Department, presented the new Municipal Taxi Service Regulation on Wednesday. This regulation has been approved following a review process to align it with current legal standards, industry realities, and the needs of citizens using public transport.
The regulation, published in the Official Bulletin of the Province, includes measures intended to enhance legal security, simplify procedures, and improve service coordination. It updates shift regulations, uniform requirements, and entry tests while introducing a new communication system with the taxi dispatch centre and a more transparent sanctions regime.
Councillor for Mobility, Domingo Galván, highlighted that “this ordinance represents a qualitative leap for the taxi service in La Laguna. We are modernising outdated regulations to adapt them to new technologies and current laws, while prioritising users for a more efficient, safe, and approachable service.”
Furthermore, the Councillor for Citizen Security, Badel Albelo, stated that “this new framework marks a significant advancement for the industry, providing greater security and assurances for the citizens of the municipality as well as for the professionals, with whom we have collaborated closely to bring this commitment of the current government team to fruition.”
Finally, the President of Radiotaxi Laguna, Francisco Guanche, expressed appreciation for the approval of the regulation, asserting that “this change was much needed for the sector. It enables us to work more securely, with a clearer and more organised framework, allowing us to respond better to customer demands. Collaboration with the City Council has been vital in achieving an ordinance that addresses the real needs of taxi drivers and the public.”
In this context, Galván emphasised that “the ordinance introduces innovative tools such as electronic documentation, mandatory navigation systems, and the installation of video surveillance in vehicles, all of which enhance customer trust and the safety of the professionals.”
Key highlights of the regulation include the new shift and break system, which establishes an annual calendar with more balanced rotations and special periods during Christmas, Carnival, and Holy Week. There is also the requirement for an official uniform featuring corporate colours and an embroidered logo, updated entry tests for drivers, and defined exclusive use of vehicles for authorised services.
Additionally, the communication centre has been modernised, moving away from solely relying on radio frequency communication to include digital and technological means, such as applications and audio systems, ensuring constant coordination of the fleet. The sanctions regime has also been reorganised, with clearly defined infractions and penalties, enhancing transparency and legal security.
The new ordinance is now in effect and will be implemented gradually, starting with the rest break calendar for 2025. The City Council has indicated that this is a decisive step in consolidating an essential public service that blends tradition with modernity, reinforcing citizens’ trust in taxis as a sustainable, safe, and accessible mode of transport.
The programme will culminate on Monday, 22 September, European Car-Free Day, with the reading of a manifesto advocating for the pedestrianisation of Anchieta, a sustainable mobility fair, and the STARS interschool meeting, bringing together school delegations from across La Laguna to share experiences and proposals for safer environments.
