Ciudadanos has tabled a motion urging Orihuela City Council to increase the number of taxi and ride-hailing licences amid growing demand, especially on the coast.
A shortage of taxis in Orihuela is driving a rise in irregular transport activity and speculation over taxi licences, according to Ciudadanos, which has submitted a motion for debate at Thursday’s plenary session.
The party says the lack of available taxis, particularly during periods of high demand, has led to individuals openly offering illegal taxi services to destinations such as Torrevieja, Elche, Alicante-Elche Airport and Corvera Airport in Murcia.
Ciudadanos also claims the shortage is encouraging speculation among licence holders, with some permits reportedly being advertised online for as much as €195,000.
“It is incongruous that this City Council is allowing a shortage of taxis while licences are being sold online for almost €200,000,” said José Aix, spokesperson for Ciudadanos. “Access to these licences is being obstructed by barriers created by the council itself, which is fuelling speculation.”
The motion calls on Transport Councillor Víctor Sigüenza, of the Partido Popular, to increase the number of taxi licences in the municipality. Orihuela currently has just over 40 taxi licences, although Ciudadanos argues that, based on its population, the municipality could legally have close to 90.
Aix said the problem is especially visible along the Orihuela Costa, where long queues at taxi ranks have become a recurring issue from April through at least September, when the area’s floating population rises sharply due to tourism and holidaymakers.
“It is unacceptable to once again see the lamentable spectacle of people waiting in endless queues at taxi ranks on the coast, mainly because there are not enough vehicles,” Aix said.
The councillor accused Sigüenza of blocking the new licences that were agreed more than two years ago and of failing to present a realistic plan to improve mobility across a municipality with a large geographical area and a heavily seasonal population.
“This is the image we are projecting as a tourist destination: people and luggage stranded at taxi ranks, waiting for transport that does not exist,” Aix added.
The motion urges the City Council to adopt an effective solution within its municipal powers and to ensure at least the legally established ratio of one taxi licence per 1,000 inhabitants. It also calls on the council to ask the Valencian Government to expand VTC ride-hailing licences in the municipality, with proper legal safeguards, regulatory controls and quality and safety standards.
