The Action Plan for public transport in Santa Eulària, which provides for the granting of 76 seasonal cab licenses, has been published in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB) after its approval in municipal plenary session on January 30.
The measure seeks to reinforce cab service in high season during the next three years and to combat the proliferation of unregulated transport on the island. These licenses may be extended until 2028.
From the Independent Taxi Federation of Ibiza and Formentera (FITIE) and the Taxi Drivers Association of Santa Eulària, its president, Toni Roig, has confirmed to La Voz de Ibiza that the plan was worked jointly with the sector and has had the participation of both licensees and employees. “It has been a process in which we have been able to sit down to negotiate, evaluate different aspects and reach a consensus,” he said.
An agreement negotiated with cab drivers and employees
“We have been called several times and we have had the opportunity to evaluate different aspects of the plan, so we can say that we have worked in a consensual manner,” said Roig, who stresses that this process has allowed improvements and adjustments to the regulations. “In general terms, there is satisfaction in the sector for having been able to negotiate and participate in decision making,” he stressed.
One of the key issues in the negotiations has been the duration of the licenses.. As Roig explains, the agreement establishes that the plan will operate during the years 2025, 2026 and 2027, with a possible extension in 2028. “It has been adjusted to the maximum allowed by the Govern, ensuring stability in the service and avoiding uncertainty from year to year,” he said.
An equitable distribution of licenses
The plan establishes two work shifts to distribute the seasonal licenses. The first will be from April 12 to September 12, and the second from May 20 to October 20. In addition, if demand requires it, these shifts may be extended. “Santa Eulària was already a pioneer in previous plans in introducing flexibility according to demand, and this time this possibility has also been included,” explained Roig.
The distribution of licenses has been set at 70% for holders of municipal licenses (53) and 30% for employees (23), which has been a slight change from previous calls. “Until now the distribution was 75%-25%, but this time 5% has been ceded in favor of employees,” he explained.
In addition, the awarding of licenses will be made exclusively on the basis of the uninterrupted seniority of the applicants, both incumbent and salaried. “This system is already applied in other municipalities and it seems to us the fairest thing to do. The working life of each worker will be taken into account and any interruption will affect the seniority calculation”, explained Roig.
Economic and environmental conditions
The president of FITIE also highlighted that municipal fees will remain at 1,000 euros per month, which is a relief for the sector. “We know that in other municipalities an increase in fees is foreseen, but here we have managed to maintain them,” he said. The only increase has been in the initial deposit, which goes from 500 to 1,000 euros, but is returnable at the end of the contract if the conditions are met.
As for the vehicles, the new licenses will only be able to operate with cars that have ECO or ZERO label in the case of five seats, with the exception that in case of breakdown it can be temporarily replaced by a diesel vehicle. “It is a commitment to sustainability, but also to the viability of the service,” said Roig.
A model that seeks stability in the sector
Another aspect that Roig values positively is that seasonal license holders will no longer have to change the vehicle category at the end of each season, which saves time and money. “Until now, at the end of the contract, we had to transfer the cars from public service to private, dismantle the identifying elements, do the paperwork and then do it all over again the following year. Now it will be enough with a responsible declaration and proof that the badges have been removed,” he explained.
The president of the cab drivers of Santa Eulària concludes that the plan has been worked thoroughly to ensure an efficient service in high season without harming workers. “The goal is that there is a balance between supply and demand, avoiding the collapse of transport in summer and offering security to both residents and tourists,” he said.
The impact of this model, which could serve as a reference for other municipalities on the island, will be evaluated in the coming months. “We have reached an agreement that is beneficial for all parties and we are confident that it will work well. Now we have to see how it is implemented in practice,” concluded Roig.
