The saga of the licensed and unlicensed taxis in Torrevieja and many other towns,rumbles on.The recession has hit many businesses and taxi driving is among them.These people do this as a full time job,not for some extra pin-money.They pay extra insurance as protection for their clients ,they have to ensure that their vehicles are safe for their passengers,they pay local taxes and they have earned that special license for their job.
These people often have to charge more to cover their extra costs and this is what pushes customers into using illegal taxis.They may charge a bit less but they are not licensed for carrying fares ,with all that that implies in terms of safety and insurance cover.The police are constantly on the look out for the same vehicles turning up at airports,hospitals,dropping people off downtown etc.If can be proved that they are acting illegally then they will receive heavy fines.
There are of course the legitimate runs to the airport for family and friends,estate agents collect clients,hotels can do the same.Then there are those who will drive people that they have never met before to wherever they want to go.The vehicles will not be covered by insurance for carrying passengers who have paid and should there be an accident then the passenger is not covered for compensation.
People are thinking twice about using taxis,they have become a luxury for many.People are helping each other by giving lifts,they walk instead or they catch a bus if one is available.The day of the black market cab isn’t over but sadly the use of cabs in general is most definately on the wane .
