Costa Blanca’s Pirate Taxis

Police forces across the Costa’s have reported an increase in the number of pirate taxi services in circulation. Many unlicensed operators are using the Costa Blanca as a way to make fast cash and exposing you to unnecessary risks.

The laws for all taxi/private hire companies in Spain are extremely strict. Please be aware that there are numerous illegal companies with websites and advertising on the Costa Blanca as legitimate taxi/transfer businesses. There are also apartment owners & letting agencies offering cheap transfers, these are also illegal.

Area Pirates in Arrivals?

Alicante Airport strictly controls the arrivals area to weed out illegal transport pirates. Only legal companies are permitted into the airport arrivals area. Your driver will be visibly holding an AENA card which will have the name of the lead passenger on. This is a mandatory procedure highlighted by AENA, which is the Spain’s Airport Governing body. As the article opposite highlights, Spanish police have begun clamping down on illegal transport companies so please don’t fall into this trap. Vehicles are regularly checked for Tarjeta de Transporte and if your driver can not produce this documentation, the vehicle will be impounded, you will be out of pocket and copy of the company’s. We come across this story all too frequently so please avoid this horror story and book with a professional licensed company Alicante Airport Transfers. Alicante Airport is patrolled continuously by the Guardia Civil (Police) & government inspectors looking for illegal touts. If a transfer company asks to meet you anywhere apart from the designated area in the arrivals terminal, they will be illegal, (even if they use the excuse that this is due to building work), their vehicles will also not be insured for passenger liability cover. You should remember that if stopped by the Guardia Civil (Police) the vehicle would be confi scated immediately leaving you stranded. A vehicle that is licensed will be SP (ServicioPublico) plated by the Spanish.

Remember:

1. Without a permit, it is illegal to offer a taxi service in Spain.

2. Insurance is another important factor as you cannot obtain cover for the transportation ofpaying passengers without a legal permit.

3. Without the necessary insurance cover a passenger is also running the risk in the case of an accident as they could not hope to be compensated.

4. Any unfortunate passengers caught up in the process can fi nd themselves dumped on the road with their luggage if the police stop and seize the vehicle.