Uber in Yucatán welcomes taxi drivers to its platform

Open the app for Uber in Yucatán, and an old-school taxi may appear.

In a surprising turn of events, Uber announced early Wednesday that traditional taxi drivers can now join its digital platform—just one day after reports surfaced about the Yucatán Transportation Agency’s (ATY) alleged “hunt” against ride-sharing services.

“At Uber, we always seek to offer more. Users should know that with us they have the greatest number of options that fit their needs: price, time, space, comfort,” said Juan Pablo Eiroa, General Director of Uber Mexico, in the company’s statement.

This development marks a significant shift in relations, considering taxi drivers had previously opposed Uber’s entry into Mérida, with some incidents escalating to violence when the platform first launched in Yucatán. Under the new initiative, taxi drivers wishing to join can register through the Uber Driver application after meeting the established requirements. All transfers will include the same security features available across Uber’s service portfolio.

As of press time, no taxi association has issued a statement regarding this announcement.

ATY Clarifies Operations Against Unregulated Platforms

The announcement comes as the ATY has strengthened the state’s regulation of private transportation services. In a Wednesday statement, the agency clarified that Tuesday’s operation specifically targeted vehicles operating through the “inDrive” platform, which lacks proper registration to manage, operate, and offer passenger transportation services.

“This operation was conducted with support from the Secretariat of Public Security to verify that vehicles complied with operating certificates required by law,” an ATY spokesperson explained.

According to regulations, all companies offering transportation through applications must possess a certificate issued by transportation authorities, ensuring operators meet essential requirements including driver identification, vehicle specifications, and passenger insurance.

The ATY revealed it had previously met with “inDrive” legal representatives to discuss regularizing operations in Yucatán. While agreements were made to remove vehicle decals and suspend services within three days, “these commitments were not fulfilled,” resulting in multiple infractions and some vehicles being impounded.

The agency emphasized its commitment to transportation safety, stating that unauthorized platforms pose passenger risks due to lack of necessary controls for safety and quality assurance.

A representative from private platform driver groups reported meeting with ATY personnel on Wednesday, who confirmed Tuesday’s operation targeted only “inDrive” vehicles due to their irregular operational status. Both Uber and Didi remain authorized to provide services, provided they comply with Transportation Agency Law provisions.

Clash of Transport Cultures

The arrival of Uber in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in 2016 ignited a firestorm in Mérida’s transportation landscape that continues to smolder today. For decades, the region’s taxi syndicates operated with near-monopolistic power, controlling fares and routes through deeply entrenched relationships with local authorities. (Read our continuing coverage of the conflict here.)

When Uber’s sleek app-based service first appeared on Mérida’s colonial streets, the reaction was swift and fierce. Taxi unions mobilized thousands of drivers in protests that paralyzed the city center. Their grievances centered on what they viewed as fundamentally unfair competition – Uber drivers didn’t pay for expensive taxi medallions or union fees, yet could freely pursue the same passengers.

The conflict escalated beyond demonstrations. Reports of physical confrontations between traditional taxi drivers and Uber operators became common, with some ride-share drivers describing intimidation tactics and even vehicle vandalism when they ventured into taxi-dominated areas like the airport or bus stations.

State authorities found themselves caught between modernization demands and the political influence of powerful taxi organizations. Their solution came in 2019 with new transportation regulations requiring Uber drivers to register with the state and pay annual fees. While less restrictive than in other Mexican states like Quintana Roo, where Cancún’s tourism industry amplified similar tensions, the compromise satisfied neither side completely.

For tourists visiting Mayan ruins and colonial cities, the conflict created practical complications. Many resorts warned guests against using ride-sharing apps in certain areas, while some travelers reported taxi drivers refusing service to those they suspected of previously using Uber.

Today, an uneasy coexistence has emerged. Uber continues operating throughout Mérida and has expanded to smaller cities like Valladolid, though with geographic limitations. The traditional union and non-union taxis still dominate certain territories through informal but strictly enforced boundaries.

The Yucatán’s transportation battle illustrates a global story – the collision between established economic systems and digital disruption, with tourists and locals navigating the complicated middle ground between tradition and innovation.