The new cab and VTC regulation in the Balearic Islands is moving towards its final approval after passing two key steps: the gender impact report of the Institut Balear de la Dona (IB Dona) and the opinion of the Consell de Consum, issued on October 15 and November 10 respectively. Both bodies reported favorably, without introducing substantial changes or opening new technical observations that would require the text to be rewritten.
IB Dona calls for fine-tuning language and measuring impact
The gender report is favorable, but proposes adjustments in tone and follow-up. IB Dona considers that the decree presents a “very careful and coherent” language, although it recommends “introducing some specific adjustments” to avoid sexist uses. It suggests substituting formulations such as “user” for “user person” or “driver” for “driving person”, in order to unify the wording throughout the articles.
The opinion also proposes strengthening the measurement of the service: it proposes “introducing indicators and data disaggregated by sex (licenses, drivers, complaints) to evaluate the service and its impact”, which would make it possible to assess the evolution of equality in a historically male-dominated sector . It also mentions the convenience of reinforcing accessibility and security criteria in the contracting channels.
Despite these recommendations, IB Dona concludes that it does not detect differentiated impacts on women or men. “No situation of gender inequality has been detected and it is considered that its implementation will not have gender-related impacts,” it states. The agency rates the standard as “not relevant” from a gender impact standpoint, meaning that it sees no adverse effects, although it does advise improving the wording.
Consumers endorse regulation and highlight limits on VTC pricing
The report of the Consell de Consum is also favorable, with two abstentions – the Association of Consumers and Users of the Balearic Islands and the Balearic School of Consumer Affairs. The body does not introduce modifications, but puts the focus on the novelties of the regulation, especially on the regulation of VTC prices, included in the draft.
The document recalls that VTCs are not subject to tariffs, but includes the clause of the decree according to which, “to avoid abuses, in circumstances of high demand it cannot exceed 75% of its usual price”. In addition, it highlights the obligation to publish prices on the web: “companies and intermediaries must make available to the public information on the prices they apply to users on their website”. These are measures already included in the original text, which Consumo validates as a control mechanism.
The council also notes that closed pricing in cabs is one of the “great novelties” of the decree, although it makes no additional comments on its implementation. The vote, according to the minutes, took place without interventions and without previous allegations: “There were no interventions” and the text was reported favorably.
What lies ahead
With the reports of IB Dona and Consumo already incorporated into the file, the decree faces its final stretch. The General Directorate of Mobility confirmed to La Voz de Ibiza that the text has also been sent to the Legal Services of the Conselleria, which must issue a report.
With this opinion and all the accumulated documentation, the project will be submitted to the Consell Consultiu, responsible for issuing the last mandatory report before the Govern definitively approves the regulation in the Consell de Govern.
