British tourists have been warned about illegal taxis in Ibiza as authorities take tougher action against drug-impaired taxi drivers.
The inspection service of the Ministry of Transport of the Municipality of Ibiza carried out a joint operation early this morning together with the local police services of the municipalities of Ibiza and Santa Eulària.
The operation is part of the Council's inspection plan, which is aimed at detecting illegal taxis and checking VTCs (Vehicles for hire with driver). Britons must therefore ensure that they have the correct licence when getting into a taxi.
From 4:30am to 7:30am, five inspectors from the council and extensive police units from the two municipalities involved set up three checkpoints around a well-known nightclub in Ibiza.
According to Roberto Algaba, the island's director of transport who was present at the operation, this initiative not only served to track down and punish offenders, but also to deter people who tried to find customers outside the nightclub.
Algaba said that this commitment has a strong deterrent effect on people who want to break the law, which shows that they are taking a strong stand against illegal transport activities.
During the checks carried out by the municipal service, a total of 35 vehicles were checked and four drivers were fined for illegal passenger transport. The total fines amounted to 22,004 euros.
The operation in Ibiza resulted in seven drivers being reported for operating as a transport service without the required permit.
All the cars were immobilised by Ibiza local police and taken to the municipal impound yard. The fine for each is 6,000 euros (£5,121).
In addition, six of the seven drivers tested positive for drug use and one driver did not even have a driver's license.
Rubén Sousa, Councillor for Public Transport of the capital of Ibiza, who was also present at the operation, said: “The Ibiza City Council is determined to combat unfair competition and take decisive and strong action against this scourge.
“That is why we have joined the common front of the Council of Ibiza to take a more coordinated and efficient action against illegal transport.
“From the Public Transport department we want to ensure that rules are followed and unfair competition in the transport sector is reduced. The support of the Local Police is crucial to achieve this.”
At the checkpoint in Santa Eulària, 15 vehicles were checked, but none were found to be involved in illegal activities.
Juan Carlos Roselló, head of the Citizen Security Department of the Santa Eulària City Council, stated that “collaboration between municipalities and the council is necessary and fundamental to join forces against illegal activities and make progress in the fight against intrusions.”
In addition, a taxi from Sant Josep was fined for violating loading and unloading regulations. All affected customers were transferred to legal taxis.