There can be days when income will be higher (and so produce higher monthly returns), such as when there are several cruise ships in port, but these are exceptions, says Arias, whose association represents a majority of drivers. He accepts that there may be a feeling that there is a lack of taxis when peaks in demand occur because of cruise ships, but this is because the public is used to there being plenty of supply when there aren't such peaks.
Arias attacks the notion that there might be 24-hour licences as these wouldn't mean any more taxis being available, while they might produce situations of labour exploitation. He points out that daily takings in winter are much lower - on average 30 to 40 euros.
Drivers, and this applies to cars with two drivers, can choose in summer to work shifts of sixteen or nineteen hours with fewer or more days off respectively. In winter the shifts are divided into twelve hours. Cars with two drivers can operate for sixteen hours but with a month off.
The association says that there is a lot of work but notes that journeys can be slow because of the volume of traffic in Palma and the lack of fast lanes for taxis. It stresses that longer journeys aren't always the more profitable, as it will depend on how long a driver has waited to pick one up.
Greater efficiency will be achieved, the association believes, through a mobile app of the type that exists in other cities. The support of the town hall is being sought for this, and it has promised to consider such a project.
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In reply to s/. Not ALL Taxi drivers will rip you off. However I get a taxi a good few times a year from Palma Airport, the correct fare on a midweek day, mid morning is approx €43 , I always give € 50, ( used to be a taxi driver in the UK for many years). And know how much a difference tips make, On more than one occasion the driver has added the extras at the start of the journey and at the end again so increasing the fare to nearer €48 , along with going the long way round, , it would be a good idea to have Taxi licence enforcement officers doing spot checks.
This is not a high level of income for a taxi driver when the cost of operating a taxi, and the winter lows, is factored in. Taxi drivers want to be earning, not sitting around waiting for a fare, so anything that more effectively matches drivers with passengers is to be embraced. I'm not suggesting that Mallorca needs an Uber situation, but a pan-island app which gets bums on taxi seats more efficiently has to be good for everyone. Most people who need a taxi also have a mobile phone in their pocket which can pinpoint their location.
I do not understand the button pushing on the recording charge meter, Especially when you reach your destination. MORE BUTTON PUSHING INCREASES THE COST.I would like to see INSPECTORS posing as 'foreign' Tourists. To monitor these actions by ALL Taxi drivers. Of whom, I do not trust, and use only as a last emergency.
Even the original figure of 5,000 to 6,000 is wrong I'm sure. €183 euros for a 12 day day, for even 6 months, that has to cover all the anual expenses doesn't sound so hot to me.
This again is badly transcribed. It appeared two days ago in the Ultima Hora. It did not day "take home", as that means nett in English. Also it originally stated that it was minus fuel costs. The figure is also between two drivers, and only during the "summer", (currently 4 month) season. In the winter it barely covers it's operating costs, and this is Palma not the now-deserted for eight months beach resorts. There is also the regular replacement of the vehicle to factor in, plus the loss of any interest, or any loss on the licence purchase investmemt. In recent times the Calvia licence values have dropped 25%. In reality the licence holder buys a job, with the banks financing half the purchas price automatically.
That's all very well but what about other costs to factor in such as servicing, repairs, new tyres etc, cost of badge, medical, runners, non payers, Insurance, road tax etc etc. Its not all profit!!!!