Alberto ‘Tito’ Álvarez, the combative and influential leader of Barcelona’s Élite Taxi union, is preparing to step down after a decade at the forefront of the city’s transport wars. He plans to retire and relocate to the Caribbean, but not before seeing through one final, crucial piece of legislation designed to curb the influence of ride-hailing apps.

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Álvarez has informed the board of Élite Taxi that he is beginning a year-long transition out of his leadership role. His destination is Margarita Island, a Venezuelan island in the Caribbean, where he recently purchased a small apartment and proposed to his partner, Eurimar.

He shared the proposal, which took place in a shopping centre to the soundtrack of an Aerosmith ballad, on Instagram. This marks a significant life change for the union boss. “It was love at first sight,” Álvarez told La Vanguardia. “In Venezuela, I’ve discovered a land of good people where I want to live. People always smile at you here.” The couple, who have since had matching tattoos, plan to marry in August.

One Last Fight: The ‘Tito Law’

Despite his plans, Álvarez’s departure will not be immediate. He is set to return to Barcelona in the coming weeks with a singular focus: securing the passage of a new law governing passenger transport in vehicles of up to nine seats. The Parliament of Catalonia will vote on the bill this spring.

The taxi sector unofficially calls the legislation the ‘ley de Tito’ (Tito’s Law), viewing it as a final, decisive measure to regulate competitors like Uber, Cabify, and Bolt. This will make Barcelona’s regulatory environment unique in the world. For Álvarez, it is the culmination of his long-fought campaign.

“It’s now or never. This is our last cartridge for survival. I’m going to finish what I started,” he stated, confirming the move would cement the future of the taxi sector.

He has explained to his colleagues at Élite Taxi that he will gradually step back over the next year to ensure a smooth transition as he prepares for his new life in the Caribbean.

A Controversial Legacy

Confrontation defined Álvarez’s leadership. A former crane operator who became a taxi driver after the 2008 financial crisis, he co-founded Élite Taxi twelve years ago. He quickly channelled the sector’s widespread discontent into a powerful and disruptive force.

Under his direction, Barcelona’s taxi drivers have blockaded major arteries like the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes for a week, brought ring roads to a standstill, and repeatedly threatened to disrupt major events like MWC Barcelona. These tactics made him a polarising figure, revered by many drivers but a source of frustration for city officials and a thorn in the side of multinational ride-hailing companies.

Metrópoli Abierta reported that his influence may have shown signs of waning recently. For example, an attempted blockade in October failed to muster the same support as previous actions, leading some to suggest his control over the city’s streets was diminishing.

While Álvarez has hinted at retirement before, his engagement and concrete plans to relocate suggest this time is different. Therefore, his departure signals the end of an era for the Barcelona Metropolitan Area’s taxi industry, leaving both allies and adversaries to contemplate a future without its most formidable street fighter.

According to the official source, see Futura ley del taxi: “Es el último cartucho que tiene el sector para sobrevivir”.