Quintana Roo Moves to Rewrite Mobility Law So Ride-Hailing Apps Operate as Private Service

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo will push a new reform to its mobility law to formally classify ride-hailing platforms as private rather than public transport, the head of the state’s mobility institute said, following court rulings and a federal competition finding that undercut the state government’s position.

Rafael Hernández Kotasek, director of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (IMoveqroo), said the change is intended to bring state rules in line with federal court decisions and the conclusions of the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE), which determined that services offered by digital platforms are private in nature.

The announcement follows legal challenges filed by Uber and rulings from federal courts that rejected the state’s attempt to treat the platforms as public transport operators.

Hoping Uber Drops Its Legal Challenges

“We hope that with this modification, and the recognition that transport platforms provide a private rather than a public service, Uber will withdraw its injunctions,” Hernández Kotasek said.

He stressed, however, that the legal protection obtained by Uber does not allow a platform to operate without rules. The mechanism covers only certain elements, he said, and drivers must still meet their obligations.

“But if you are on one of these platforms, you have to have insurance, no matter what, an operating license as a platform, and you have to register the service — that is not taken away from them,” he said.

More Than 4,000 Drivers Registered

IMoveqroo has identified more than 4,000 ride-hailing drivers in the state, operating mainly in Cancún and Chetumal. The service is also active in Tulum, and operators have announced they will begin work in Playa del Carmen, the director said.

All of them must comply with current requirements, including carrying insurance, holding an operating license and registering with the institute, he added.

Hernández Kotasek also confirmed that the agency reached an agreement with the taxi union in Playa del Carmen allowing Uber to operate in the city, but exclusively through taxis.

He said he expects IMoveqroo to send the reform proposal to the state Congress before the current ordinary legislative session ends in December, so that the state can comply with the judicial rulings and address all pending issues.