The Government will intensify the control on the taxis' pirates'

The Department of Territorial Policy and ensures that the number of inspections, while taxi drivers are demanding more regulation on the industry to end the 'loophole'

Leandre Ibar (Diari de Tarragona)

The Department of Territorial Policy and Public Works (DPTOP) of the Government announced yesterday that it will intensify "the work of inspection, monitoring and control" on the vehicles as unlicensed taxis operating in the Camp de Tarragona, in order to "detect and prevent such illegal practices and open the appropriate 'sanctions'.
The DPTOP has reported that several complaints had received warning of the existence "of these vehicles, especially in the zone from Reus airport and the tourist area of the Costa Daurada.
As already reported by the newspaper last Tuesday, in the summer months increases the number of taxis' pirates' in the coastal area of Tarragona Baix Camp, in particular in the towns of Salou, Cambrils and Vila-seca.
In this way, DPTOP carried out a series of "checks" in the field during the summer months "to" guarantee the legality of collective transport services and passenger safety. "
Thanks to the inspections already carried out, the DPTOP ensures that it has been possible to identify various plates of vehicles used for transporting passengers illegally within the town of Salou, which constitute "the basis for opening files" that should ending economic sanctions against those responsible.
Reaction from taxi drivers
The group of taxi drivers in the various municipalities affected has reacted with some satisfaction at the announcement of DPTOP, although it has not surprised. José Ramírez, Cambrils taxi driver, he "made up allegations." However, taxi drivers have reiterated that this is a problem that has long settled without.
"The problem is that there is a legal vacuum," says Javier Rubio, taxista de Vila-seca. In the same sense is expressed Mariano Coronado, Taxi Service Logístic Salou, who said that the authorities' hands are tied "due to lack of regulation. "We have never complained about the performance of Mossos or the Department of Territorial Policy and Public Works," says Coronado, "we met even transport inspectors' sent by the Govern.
The main complaints relate to the sector that are not licensed taxis and car hire with driver.
In principle this type of transport with driver enjoys special licenses that allow them to operate with a route marked by a prior contract, and stating the identity card of the passengers. Taxi drivers complain that rental companies vehicles, some of which have headquarters outside of Catalonia, staying in the Costa Daurada and remove clients taxis.

If they charged a fair price,they may get a bit of sympathy. 30/35 euros from the aiport to Salou for a 10 min trip is ridiculous! They are very short of competition!It can cost more from the airport to Salou than Ryanair charge from Liverpool to Reus!

quite right number, i visit salou quite often throughout the year and on two visits last year i was charged 35 euros from the airport, to the costa durada hotel.and you are quite right about the flights,i have just booked a return flight from liverpool in september total cost £30,glad the taxis don't fly i would never be able to get away on their prices.