Unified Taxi Fare in Binissalem and Llubí: More Mobility — but at What Cost?

A step toward better mobility – but not without open questions

Early in the morning on the Plaça de Binissalem, while the first market vendors set up their stalls and the scent of freshly baked pa de coca drifted through the alleys, the decision was already known: Binissalem and Llubí will in future belong to the unified taxi fare. You can hear the distant tolling of the church bell, the clinking of coffee cups and the occasional rattle of a passing taxi. For many this sounds like a gain: shorter waiting times, fewer unnecessary empty runs and more reliable connections, especially on weekends and late at night.

Main question: Does the joint fare really improve mobility — or does it merely shift problems?

What changes in practice: Drivers from Binissalem and Llubí will in future be allowed to pick up passengers outside their home municipality without additional formalities. For passengers this promises less waiting at the stop when the bus fails or the market ends later. But as so often, the devil is in the details. At the stop in front of the town hall I heard two taxi drivers discussing it: one was pleased about additional routes, the other feared unclear deployment rules and chaotic queues during festivals. These everyday concerns are not spectacular, but they are often overlooked — and they help determine the success of the measure.

Problems that have so far received too little attention

First, the distribution of assignments: If drivers from several towns compete for the same queue, a regulated rotation principle is needed. Without clear rules, "good routes" are quickly taken by a few, especially on days with high passenger demand such as festivals or market Sundays. Second, the economic calculation: Yes, more trips can reduce empty miles. But do drivers from smaller towns also benefit, whose operating costs per trip are often higher (fuel, insurance, stand fees)?

Third, control and enforcement: Municipalities talk about new permits and checks by the local police — important, but insufficient if no one systematically evaluates the data or processes complaints promptly. And fourth: transparency for passengers. Visible fares at stops, simple online information and a clear statement about who goes where are part of it.

Concretely: Seize opportunities, cushion pitfalls

The good news: there are practical approaches that can make the new system fairer and more comprehensible. Some measures that could prove effective locally:

1. Pilot phase with clear KPIs: A six-month trial with metrics such as average waiting time, empty kilometers driven, number of complaints and development of drivers' incomes. Only with reliable figures can it be assessed whether the model is fair.

2. Rotation principle at queues: Electronic or clearly visible manual lists that ensure assignments are distributed evenly — especially at large events and on weekends.

3. Joint dispatch platform: A simple app or a number system to coordinate rides. This reduces random pickups, makes assignment transparent and helps the police with controls.

4. Protection for small providers: Temporary subsidies, bonus kilometers or tax relief for drivers from smaller municipalities until the new dynamics have settled.

5. Public complaints and information portal: An easily accessible place where passengers can report violations and municipalities can openly document developments.

Looking ahead: start small, measure precisely

The idea of a unified fare has its charm: on mild evenings, when people stand on the Plaça after the market and the streetlights illuminate the cobblestones, the thought of reliable taxis sounds very appealing. But without clear rules, injustices and friction can arise — between drivers, municipalities and passengers. That is why what is needed now are not only administrative papers but real conversations on equal footing: round tables with drivers, police representatives, town hall officials and market vendors. And above all an honest interim review after a few months: what worked, what didn't, and how will adjustments be made?

I will keep listening in cafes, at stops and at the market. If you have experiences, write to us — your observations are worth more than any forecast.