Taxi Union Flags Rise in Unregulated Ride-Hailing Vehicles in Playa del Carmen

Ride-hailing vehicles and taxis sharing a street in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A Playa del Carmen taxi union says it has detected a growing number of ride-hailing vehicles operating in the city without the required permits, and has asked regulators to step in.

Luis Herrera Quiam, secretary general of the Lázaro Cárdenas del Río taxi union, said the organization has observed a larger presence of these vehicles on local streets and maintains that some of them are not properly regularized. He said it is up to authorities to verify each case and determine whether drivers hold the permits and meet the requirements to provide the service.

inDrive Agreement Still Pending

Herrera Quiam said an agreement with the ride-hailing platform inDrive to incorporate Playa del Carmen taxi drivers has also not been formalized. Talks are continuing and the deal remains in process, he said, so it cannot be considered concluded.

On a video circulated recently that pointed to an alleged conflict between taxi drivers and platform drivers, the union leader said members went to the location shown but found no evidence and could not locate anyone who took part in the supposed incident.

Herrera Quiam said the union will keep the issue of the allegedly irregular vehicles before the relevant authorities.

No figure has been provided on how many vehicles were detected operating outside the rules, and the regulating authority has not confirmed how many unregulated units operate in Playa del Carmen.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx