New Motor Taxi Permits Roll Out in Quintana Roo

Cancún, Q. Roo — The state government of Quintana Roo has announced progress in the regularization of motor taxis, introducing a new permit system and operational requirements for these vehicles.

Rafael Hernández Kotasek, head of the Quintana Roo Institute of Mobility (Imoveqroo), stated that obtaining permits will require owners to meet specific legal and administrative criteria. Notably, the permits will be issued to individuals rather than companies, as the motor taxi model is designed to promote self-employment.

"This type of transport is intended to foster self-employment, not for businesses or corporations with large fleets," Hernández Kotasek emphasized.

Current Fleet and Registration Process

Officials estimate there are approximately 11,000 motor taxis operating across the state, with 7,000 concentrated in Playa del Carmen and Cancún. These figures are based on a census conducted last year, which will serve as the cutoff for eligible registrations.

"We have a clear record of which units were added after the census, and the next step is to regularize the documentation for each motor taxi," Hernández Kotasek explained.

Upcoming Regulations and Timeline

In the next two weeks, authorities will hold meetings with motor taxi operators to outline the new guidelines, which will be mandatory for legal operation and license plate issuance. The regulations will include:

• Designated transit zones
• Approved fare ranges
• Uniform requirements
• Specialized driver’s licenses
• Mandatory annual inspections

The full regularization process is expected to take at least six months.

Fare Structure and Safety Measures

Fares will be standardized within a defined range under the new operational rules. "Our goal is to ensure orderly and accessible service for users while meeting required standards," Hernández Kotasek said.

The official also addressed unauthorized vehicle modifications, such as adapted vans to increase passenger capacity. Annual inspections aim to curb such practices, and citizens are encouraged to report irregularities.

To streamline reporting, Imoveqroo plans to launch a direct WhatsApp hotline. "This will allow users to quickly report any issues in public transport, strengthening oversight and service safety," he added.

The initiative seeks to bring structure to a widely used but previously unregulated transport sector while balancing accessibility for riders and livelihoods for drivers.