The Department of Mobility and Transport of the Arrecife City Council, led by councilor Mario González Altube, has launched a new taxi shift system in the Lanzarote capital. This initiative, which showed favorable results last season, aims to ensure resident mobility, especially on days with high tourist demand.
The measure, agreed upon with the Society Cooperative of Autotaxi and Autotourism of Lanzarote and San Marcial, will be in effect until December 31, 2026. For October, 13 cruise ships carrying over 40,000 passengers are expected. The first to dock will be the British cruise ship Ventura this Wednesday, October 6.
The system, a continuation of the one implemented in the 2025/2026 season, divides the taxi fleet into three rotating blocks (A, B, and C) based on license numbers. These blocks will determine which vehicles can operate at the Naos and Los Mármoles docks during cruise calls, and which must remain at city stops to serve residents. Taxis on duty at the docks can also serve urban stops, while those assigned to the city cannot pick up passengers from the port area on those days.
Councilor Mario González emphasized that the system aims to ensure a percentage of the fleet remains available at municipal stops even on days of high tourist influx. The Local Police of Arrecife will monitor compliance with these shifts.
The mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, recalled that 100 cruise calls are planned until the end of 2026, making Arrecife the fastest-growing cruise destination among state ports in the Canary Islands. He stressed that the system ensures that resident citizens have taxis available for their travel, even on days of high tourist demand.
The decree signed by the Department of Mobility also allows for modifications to the rotation in case of adverse weather conditions or changes in cruise arrival dates, following forecasts from the Port Authority of Las Palmas. It also includes the provision of adapted taxis for people with reduced mobility within these shifts.
In accordance with article 46.f of the Arrecife Municipal Regulation for Public Taxi Service, these shifts have been established: Generally, 3 groups or shifts are set, each corresponding to 33% of the fleet. Group 1: Licenses 1 to 42; Group 2: Licenses 43 to 86; Group 3: Licenses 87 to 128. Any future new licenses will be redistributed equitably.
