Gibraltar has intensified its crackdown on Spanish taxis operating on the Rock without permission.
Since the removal of the land border on July 15, at least 10 foreign-registered drivers have been issued fines.
Under Gibraltar law, only vehicles authorised by its Transport Commission are permitted to carry passengers for payment within the territory.
That means Spanish taxis and foreign-registered private hire vehicles cannot legally pick up or transport paying passengers inside Gibraltar, even if they brought their customers across the border from Spain.
Authorities confirmed that 10 foreign-registered taxi drivers have now been fined for failing to comply with Gibraltar’s rules.
‘Only vehicles authorised by the Transport Commission can transport passengers for reward within Gibraltar,’ the government said.
‘Foreign-registered taxis and private hire vehicles are not authorised to provide these services.’
What does it mean for passengers travelling from Spain?
The restrictions have practical consequences for anyone attempting to travel between the Costa del Sol or Campo de Gibraltar and the Rock by taxi or ride-hailing app.
The Gibraltar Government said the rules also prevent Uber and other operators from providing cross-border journeys.
Uber’s geolocation system now treats the border as the end point for authorised journeys from Spain, meaning passengers cannot book a ride that takes them directly to a destination inside Gibraltar.
Instead, passengers arriving from Spain must leave their vehicle at the border, cross on foot and then use an authorised Gibraltar taxi or local bus service to continue their journey.
Gibraltar: Treaty is ‘very clear’
The Gibraltar Government insists that the rules governing commercial services remain clear despite the dramatic changes at the border.
It said the Treaty arrangements stipulate that services cannot simply be provided across the frontier, and stressed that the principle extends beyond taxis.
Officials have vowed to continue enforcing the prohibition ‘across all services, not only taxis’.
