A woman took an unconventional approach to protest against the lack of taxis in Lanzarote on Tuesday, by sitting in the middle of the road on the Via Medular in Arrecife.
The incident, captured on dashcam footage, ironically from a taxi, shows the growing frustration among residents over the lack of public transport services.
In the footage, a taxi driver approaches the woman and offers assistance. The protestor, visibly upset, responded, "Yes, let the people of Lanzarote protest about what is happening here because there is no public service." According to reports, she had been waiting for a taxi for over an hour.
The driver sympathised with her frustrations, agreeing that the taxis were prioritising cruise ship passengers. "They go to the boats first," he remarked, referring to taxis servicing the influx of tourists from incoming ships at the port in the island’s capital.
The woman continued her impassioned protest, stating, "Calls, calls, and calls, and this is an emergency. This is my island, and it’s always the same." Her remarks highlight the challenges faced by locals who often struggle to find reliable transportation amid rising tourist demand.
In a final exchange, the driver asked if she would like him to call emergency services, to which the woman said no, marking the end of her protest.
The incident has drawn attention to ongoing concerns over public transport availability in Lanzarote. As tourism continues to grow, many residents feel that their needs are being overshadowed by the focus on catering to visitors.
