The renowned VTC company begins to operate in the archipelago and poses a scenario unknown until now for the Canarian taxi sector
Uber is already in the Canary Islands. After years of rumors, the American company has begun operating in Tenerife, specifically in the municipalities of Granadilla, Arona, Adeje and Guía de Isora; although the intention is to extend to more municipalities and make the leap to Gran Canaria.
The arrival of Uber to the Canary Islands has generated an intense debate in the transport and tourism sector. The entry of Uber and other VTC companies represents a significant transformation for the traditional taxi sector, as local taxi drivers now face direct and challenging competition.
Uber offers an alternative transportation experience, without taximeters and with rates that adapt to the supply and demand of the service, which could attract a segment of the population that did not previously use taxis on a regular basis. However, this competition poses challenges for taxi drivers, who fear a decrease in demand and the lack of adequate regulation in the sector.
The arrival of Uber offers certain differences with respect to the taxi sector, such as knowing in advance what the service will cost or practically the disappearance of payment in hand, since the payment is made at the time of requesting a service through the app. the company.
In the tourism sector, the availability of more modern and convenient transportation services could improve the tourist experience and strengthen the islands' reputation as a tourist destination. Although, there are also concerns about the possible degradation of the quality of the service and the loss of jobs in the traditional taxi sector, which represents serious harm to taxi drivers and can trigger protests and demonstrations from the sector as has already happened in other cases. communities.
The arrival of Uber to the Canary Islands represents a turning point in transportation and tourism on the islands. Although it provides benefits in terms of transport options and a more modern experience for tourists, it also poses significant challenges for taxi drivers and regulation of the sector. For now, the American company has assured that they will seek to establish agreements with the taxi sector, a sector that has not yet commented on this news.
If Uber ends up expanding its services to the rest of the island, the private transportation sector will face a new scenario where it will have to find a balance between technological innovation and the protection of the interests of taxi drivers, a fundamental sector on the islands.
