Barcelona’s proposed taxi law, which aims to phase out VTC services like Uber and Cabify, faces significant questions about its implementation and impact. The Catalan Parliament is set to begin processing the legislation in January, with a goal of approval by 2026.

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Barcelona Taxi Law’s Supply and Demand Dilemma

The metropolitan area has 10,500 taxi licenses, a number unchanged for 30 years despite population growth and increased tourist mobility.

Barcelona Taxi Law: Key Details

Uber warns that removing VTCs could push wait times up to 45 minutes. Cabify suggests the city already needs double or triple the current taxi numbers.

To address coverage gaps, especially on weekends and nights, the law proposes mandatory shifts in specific zones or times. For major events like the Mobile World Congress, VTCs could still operate temporarily. Municipalities could also issue seasonal licenses.

Driver Shortages and Regulatory Challenges

The core problem is a shortage of qualified drivers for both taxis and VTCs. Service quality has reportedly suffered from hired drivers unfamiliar with local streets and languages.

This creates challenges in finding enough qualified personnel and preventing identity fraud during testing. Meanwhile, the VTC industry warns of 4,000 job losses, affecting what they describe as young and immigrant drivers who rely on this work.

A recruitment war has already begun. Taxi associations are inviting VTC drivers to join as salaried employees.

The legislation mandates a public digital infrastructure with permanent geolocation of all vehicles for service monitoring.

But questions remain about practical implementation, inspection frequency, penalty details, and privacy safeguards. VTC associations and platforms have already announced they will challenge the law in courts, arguing it violates free competition principles.

So the conflict shows no signs of ending soon. Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and news!
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