Controversy over tuk-tuks in Tenerife as taxis threaten Christmas strike
The arrival of tuk-tuks in Santa Cruz in Tenerife, has triggered a major dispute between taxi drivers and the company introducing the vehicles, with unions warning of strike action during the busy Christmas season.
Despite the city council insisting that tuk-tuk operations are currently unauthorised and therefore illegal, the company Toke Tuk has begun promoting sightseeing routes in the capital.
The firm argues it is complying “strictly with obligations and permits” regarding parking areas and the necessary start-of-business notifications. They emphasise that their tours will follow set routes and that vehicles will operate from “designated private areas without occupying spaces reserved for other vehicles”.
Taxi associations have reacted angrily, accusing the company of exploiting a “legal loophole” that has already caused disruption in Adeje, in the south of the island, and Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
“If they are not stopped, we will not hesitate to go on strike right in the middle of the Christmas shopping season,” warned Zebenzui Pérez, president of La Gremial taxi union, denouncing what he calls “unchecked intrusion” into the sector.
Carlos Tarife, the city councillor for Strategic Planning, has responded by saying that the council will not grant authorisation, insisting that such activity “will not be permitted”.
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