Calvia council wants cabbies to be cordial

The Calvia town council has approved changes to the regulations governing the taxi service, under which cabbies will have to incorporate the council logo and the slogan Cordialment Calvià on the side of their cabs. At the moment, the cabs show the coat of arms of the Calvia council and the number of the taxi. However, cabbies are said to be not too happy with the new design, alleging that it is advertising. Isidre Cañelles, spokesman of the Majorcan Union (UM) party on the council said yesterday “this change signifies the imposition of an image.” He pointed out that there had been problems in the sector last year when the number of licences was increased, now this new measure was being imposed without consulting the cabbies. “You have not been cordial with the cabbies and are forcing them to show your anagram,” he told the council yesterday. But Antonio Garcia Moles, the socialist deputy mayor in charge of transport, said that the measure had been agreed with the sector and was designed to improve the corporative image of the taxi service. The motion was approved with the votes of the socialists and the Popular Party. However, approval of the regulation is merely the first step. It now has to be posted for public inspection and then cabbies will have two months to introduce the changes to their vehicles. Calvia covers the resorts of Palmanova, Magalluf, Paguera, Santa Ponsa and Illetas.