On the previous Monday, Santa Cruz City Council convened a new session of the Taxi Board, with the Councillor for Mobility, Evelyn Alonso, discussing the situation regarding the redemption of licences. She emphasised that “the commitment to make payments in batches to those taxi drivers who register and possess the appropriate documentation will be honoured.” The councillor further explained that “at present, we have a provisional list comprising 14 drivers eligible for the redemption payments by the end of September. This figure is what remains from last year since more than the expected 37 have registered.”
“Currently,” Alonso stated, “we have a temporary list of those 14, as well as an additional seven who have signed up but need to rectify several issues. Altogether, we have 21 taxi drivers out of the anticipated 37 for this year’s redemption process, with a deadline for applications by October 31. Once submitted, and after verifying that the documentation is accurate, payments will be initiated.”
In relation to other matters discussed at the Taxi Roundtable, the councillor mentioned that “the examinations for prospective taxi drivers in the municipality are underway. We anticipate that these will take place between late November and the first half of December, thereby adhering to the two-year interval stipulated.”
Alonso further noted that the topic of the Constitutional Court’s ruling concerning vehicles for People with Reduced Mobility (PRM) was also addressed. This ruling requires PRM vehicles to adhere to the same scheduling as other taxi drivers. “According to the TC, the resolution isn’t that PRM can operate independently while others must follow a timetable and stop regulations; for now, it remains within the timeframe for appeal,” she elucidated.
The proposals for specific modifications to the calendar from October through December were also deliberated. “These changes cannot be enacted by decree from the councillor but must be considered in a plenary session. Therefore, the potential amendment for the last quarter was discussed, as well as upcoming events and how to ensure that taxi services operate at 100% capacity on those days,” she added.
Concerning subsidies for vehicles adapted for PRM or those already modified, it was announced that “nine individuals have applied for the subsidy of €3,000, while two are seeking funding for adaptations, with expected grants ranging from €10,000 to €15,000 this year.”
Alonso also expressed her support for a taxi driver who was recently assaulted and reminded attendees about the possibility of reinstating the subsidy for the installation of closed-circuit security systems, which around 200 of the 692 taxis currently have.