Canary Islands Taxis Launch Tictaxi to Compete with Ride-Hailing Apps
The Canary Islands taxi sector is undergoing a major modernization to counter the rapid rise of ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Cabify. According to María Fernández, Director General of Transport and Mobility, nearly 10,000 license applications from these companies are pending approval. In response, local taxi drivers are rolling out their own app, Tictaxi, allowing users to book rides directly from their smartphones.
New Regulations Give Taxis a Year to Adapt
A unanimous reform of the 2007 Canary Islands Road Transport Law grants the taxi industry a year to upgrade and compete with Vehicle-with-Driver (VTC) services. Juan Artiles, president of the regional taxi federation Fedetax, revealed that the sector has already invested heavily in recent years. “Our booking platform, similar to Uber’s, is already in trial use in several municipalities and hotels, with plans for wider implementation soon,” he said.
Stricter VTC Licensing and Sustainability Focus
The new law delays VTC license approvals for a year and abolishes the previous rule granting one VTC license per 30 taxis in certain areas—a policy challenged by the EU Court of Justice in 2023. It also introduces non-economic criteria for licensing, such as air quality, greenhouse gas reduction, and traffic congestion mitigation. “This isn’t just a technical update; it’s a historic step toward equitable, sustainable mobility tailored to the Canary Islands,” Fernández emphasized.
Key Improvements in the Updated Law
The reforms provide legal clarity for VTC applications, enhance sustainability planning, and protect taxis as an essential public service. Other changes include banning recreational campervans from certain transport categories and allowing large companies to participate in demand-based transport. Additionally, taxis and VTCs can now offer school transport in rural areas with limited options, ensuring children’s access to education. Stricter penalties for illegal transport operations and restrictions on VTCs using taxi stops are also enforced.
A Step Toward Modern, Fair Transport
Fernández hailed the reforms as aligning Canarian transport laws with European standards and local needs. “This marks a decisive shift toward a modern, just, and sustainable transport model,” she said. The changes aim to balance competition while preserving the taxi sector’s vital role in the islands’ mobility network.
