Illegal passenger transport in Maspalomas is becoming a growing problem that endangers the safety of users and reflects the cracks in the local economy
The south of Gran Canaria, the epicentre of tourism on the islands, faces a challenge that goes beyond the paradisiacal beaches and luxury hotels. In the heart of Maspalomas, the illegal transport of travellers has become a recurring activity that worries both the authorities and the citizens. The Local Police, so far this year, has reported more than ten people for carrying out transport services without the proper licence or the obligatory insurance that guarantees the safety of the passengers.
Offenders operate outside the law, offering transport services to tourists at high prices, such as around 50 euros for a short journey. However, the problem goes beyond illegality. These practices not only represent a risk for users, who have no guarantees in the event of an accident, but also reveal a weakened local economy and a lack of job opportunities that leads many people to seek income in activities outside the regulations.
Passenger transport requires a series of legal requirements, including specific licenses, civil liability insurance and technical certification of vehicles. These procedures, in addition to being expensive, are often difficult to assume for people who already face a precarious economic situation. As a result, some choose to operate informally, exposing themselves to administrative sanctions and, in more serious cases, criminal consequences.
In a recent operation by the local police, it was discovered that some offenders recruit tourists through social networks or with the collaboration of employees of tourist establishments who seek a commission for each client. This dynamic not only highlights the precariousness of work in some sectors, but also erodes confidence in the quality and safety of the tourist destination.
Illegal transport is just a symptom of a deeper problem: the lack of jobs and economic alternatives.
