The Taxi Association denounces that checks by the Civil Guard after the Cook Music Fest and Carnival cause delays of over two hours and triple fares. They demand a priority protocol for public transport.
A journey that should cost 15 euros skyrockets to 45. This is the reality faced by taxi users in Santa Cruz de Tenerife when, after major events like the Cook Music Fest or Carnival, they encounter the breathalyser and drug checks set up by the Civil Guard. The Taxi Association has raised its voice to demand a priority passage to prevent customers from paying three times for a service that is paradoxically promoted as the safe alternative to private cars.
Two Hours of Traffic Jam for a Ten-Minute Journey
Taxi drivers in the capital describe how, instead of moving smoothly, they find themselves trapped in long lines at the checks. This situation repeats every festive weekend: vehicles stopped, impatient customers, and a clock that ticks relentlessly. “The citizen who has decided to leave their car at home to take a taxi not only takes hours to arrive but also pays exorbitant amounts,” the Association laments.
The clearest example is the journey from Santa Cruz to Las Caletillas: the usual fare is around 22 euros, but with a wait of over two and a half hours, it rises to about 55. A similar situation occurs on the route to Añaza, which goes from 15 to 45 euros. Buses also suffer the same bottleneck, although their fares do not change; the problem is the delay, which turns the trip into an odyssey.
A Call to Mayor Bermúdez
The Taxi Association has focused on the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council. They ask the mayor, the nationalist José Manuel Bermúdez, to mediate with the Civil Guard Command to establish a protocol that allows public transport to bypass the checks without wasting time. “They fill their mouths asking for efficiency, emission reductions, and responsibility to avoid driving after consuming alcohol, but then, if you take a taxi, you take more than two hours for a ten-minute journey and pay triple. This makes no sense,” laments Zebenzuí Pérez, a representative of the Association.
Taxi drivers remind that the official discourse encourages citizens to leave their cars at home during festivities and opt for public transport. However, the reality on the ground discourages this behaviour. “People are asked to use public transport and then are not given priority passage,” Pérez insists. The paradox is evident: those who follow the official advice end up paying more and arriving later.
A Recurring Problem Seeking a Solution
This is not the first time taxi drivers have denounced this situation. Every major event in Santa Cruz de Tenerife – from concerts to Carnival – reactivates the same problem. The Association argues that the solution is simple: a preferential lane or a quick validation for public transport vehicles, similar to what already exists in other parts of the island. Meanwhile, drivers and passengers remain trapped in a tangle of cars that, ironically, seeks to ensure road safety.
The request is already on the table of the City Council. Taxi drivers hope that Mayor Bermúdez will address their demand before the next major events, such as the May festivities. Otherwise, they warn, the image of a city promoting sustainable mobility will clash with the reality of checks that, unintentionally, penalise responsible users.
While awaiting an official response, the advice for anyone going out in Santa Cruz is clear: if planning to return by taxi, be prepared with patience... and a good handful of extra euros. Because, for now, the safe alternative comes at a high price.
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