The new regulations introduce a revised system of shifts and breaks, mandatory uniforms, technological modernisation, and a clearer sanctioning regime, aimed at ensuring a high-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 was approved following a review process that aligns the regulations with current legal requirements, the realities of the sector, and the needs of the public who use this transport service.
The regulation, published in the Official Bulletin of the Province, incorporates measures to bolster legal security, streamline procedures, and improve service coordination. It updates the rules regarding shifts, uniforms, and entry tests and introduces a new communication system with the control centre, along with a more transparent sanctioning regime.
Councillor for Mobility, Domingo Galván, stated, “This regulation represents a qualitative leap for taxi services in La Laguna. We are modernising outdated regulations, adapting them to new technologies and current laws, with a vision that places the user at the centre, ensuring a more efficient, safe, and accessible service.”
Meanwhile, the Council’s Councillor for Citizen Security, Badel Albelo, explained, “This new instrument is a fundamental advancement for the sector, providing greater security and guarantees for the municipality’s residents and professionals, with whom we have worked together to advance this commitment of the current Government team.”
Finally, the president of Radiotaxi Laguna, Francisco Guanche, welcomed the regulation’s approval, stating, “This change was vital for the sector. It allows us to operate with increased security, provides a clearer and more organised framework, and enables us to better respond to client demands. Collaboration with the City Council has been essential in achieving a regulation that addresses the real needs of taxi drivers and the public.”
In this vein, Galván highlighted that “the regulation introduces innovative tools such as electronic documentation, mandatory navigation systems, and the installation of video surveillance in vehicles, which enhances both client confidence and the security of the professionals themselves.”
Among the key aspects of the regulation is the new regime for shifts and breaks, which establishes an annual calendar with more balanced rotations and special periods during Christmas, Carnival, and Holy Week. Additionally, there is a requirement for an official uniform featuring corporate colours and an embroidered logo, updated access tests for drivers, and a definition of the exclusive use of vehicles for authorised services.
Furthermore, the communications centre is modernised, moving away from solely relying on radio frequency dispatch to incorporate digital and IT-based methods, such as applications or audio systems. This ensures constant coordination of the fleet. The sanctioning regime has been reorganised as well, with offences and penalties clearly defined, thus enhancing transparency and legal security.
The new regulation is now in effect and will be implemented gradually, starting with the 2025 rest calendar. The City Council has indicated that this is a decisive step towards consolidating an essential public service that combines tradition and modernity, reinforcing citizens’ confidence in taxis as a sustainable, safe, and accessible means of transport.
The programme will conclude on Monday, 22 September, European Car-Free Day, with a manifesto reading for the pedestrianisation of Anchieta, a sustainable mobility fair, and the inter-school STARS meeting, which will gather school delegations from across La Laguna to share experiences and proposals for safer environments.
