The Regional Secretariat for Economy (SRE), taxi driver representatives, tour operators, and cruise agents met again this Monday to try to resolve the dispute in the port of Funchal, which led TáxisRAM to denounce situations of “unfair competition.” The meeting resulted in a commitment to wait for the conclusions of the working group that will propose new transport regulations, scheduled for the end of February.
Paulo Pereira, the president of TaxisRAM, assured that “in the next 30 days there will be no demonstrations,” stating that the association will wait for APRAM’s response and for the rules to be updated, in conjunction with all parties. The President of APRAM, Paula Cabaço, was present and registered the taxi drivers’ claims regarding access to the port.
The TaxisRAM Association criticises the presence of tourist buses near the quay gates of large cruise ships, alleging unfair competition. The President of the board of directors of APRAM, Paula Cabaço, rejects these accusations and assures that “when a passenger leaves, he looks to the left and sees the buses, he looks to the right and sees the taxis, and is free to choose.”
In a second meeting, the other operators participated, including AITRAM, who see no reason to change the rules in force, although they admit there could be improvements.
Liliana Vieira, from BC Tours Portugal and Ibercruises, appealed to common sense not to damage the image of the Region with shipowners. Regional Secretary José Manuel Rodrigues stressed that the future regulation will seek to reconcile the interests of all those involved.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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