The Agrupación de Autotaxis de Vila, integrated in the Federación Empresarial Balear de Transportes (FEBT), has asked the Ibiza Town Hall for a better planning of the cab service for the winter season. The organization has presented allegations to the calendar proposed by the Department of Transport, directed by Ruben Sousa, criticizing the lack of foresight and deficiencies in the distribution of services. The president of the group, Joan Marí, has pointed out that the new timetable only new schedule only contemplates six cabs operating every night, without clearly specifying the days of rest.without clearly specifying the mandatory rest days or operating conditions, which, according to him, “can generate confusion and negatively impact both drivers and users”.
Concern about lack of foresight
Marí has questioned the lack of a comprehensive approach that considers peak demand during the winter months. “A calendar that does not respect the real needs of the service or the labor rights of drivers cannot be imposed. We are not against breaks, but we cannot allow these decisions to increase labor costs in an unjustified way,” added Marí. Another critical point is the organization of the stops in Santa Eulària and Bartolomé Roselló, which has already caused conflicts with cabs from other municipalities. Marí explained that “it is absurd that cabs from outside the municipality can park at any stop, while ours face restrictions”.
Minimum services at night
The Association has also criticized the City Council’s decision to impose mandatory minimum services between midnight and six o’clock in the morning, stating that “the council has not correctly assessed the nighttime demand”. According to the group, in order to guarantee adequate coverage, the service should be distributed between the day and night shifts, allowing for substitutions in justified cases. “If we want an efficient service, we need clear protocols and a management that allows to cover the needs without overloading drivers. Otherwise, any distribution will be useless,” said Marí.
They call for joint island management
The Agrupación de Autotaxis de Vila has regretted that, despite its repeated proposals, the City Council has not considered the option of a global management of the cab service at the island level, oriented towards the creation of a joint provision area. “A unified management would improve efficiency and avoid unnecessary conflicts between the different municipalities,” Marí maintained. With the deadline for submitting modifications to the schedule closing this October 25, cab drivers hope that the City Council will respond to their demands before final approval. “If the objective is to improve the service, we need more dialogue and less improvisation on the part of the City Council,” concluded the president of the Agrupación.
