The association for companies operating with VTC licences* in the Balearics is completely distancing itself from the national association, Unauto, which it considers to "only represent and defend the interests of Uber: it is at its beck and call".
The regional association is in agreement with the taxi drivers, who are seeking to block the 10,000 VTC licence applications that were made to the Balearic Government in 2023. The possibility of these or some of these licences being granted follows a recent Balearic High Court ruling.
The president, Miquel Ramis, is warning about the risks of opening the door to a flood of licences in a limited territory such as the Balearics and one that suffers from congestion. "It would be madness; it wouldn’t solve the problem. Quite the opposite: it would worsen the saturation."
He stresses that transport companies in the Balearics have always been in favour of "a regulated market" and support a process that guarantees licences based on population figures, road infrastructure, and environmental pollution levels. Their business model is completely different from that of the likes of Uber. They are primarily small companies that offer tourist pick-up services for journeys between the airport and hotels, mostly in minibuses.
Last week, the president of Unauto, José Manuel Berzal, stated that studies have confirmed a shortage of services in the Balearics. He insisted that the regional government should not be swayed by the demands of taxi drivers. Unauto has been trying for some time to establish a branch in the Balearics that would allow it to participate in the Balearic Transport Council's negotiations in respect of licence applications, but it has so far not succeeded.
The mobility ministry has meanwhile stated: "We are confident that our limited and protected island territory will have the taxi and ride-hailing licences it needs and can handle."
* Standing for 'Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor', these are licences with which Uber operate.