A landmark bill aiming to overhaul passenger transport in Catalonia faces its first parliamentary hurdle next week, following months of political negotiation. The proposed law, which enjoys rare cross-party support, aims to enshrine Barcelona’s taxi fleet as a public service while drastically curbing the operations of ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Cabify.

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After a series of delays, the Board of Spokespersons for the Parliament of Catalonia has scheduled the initial debate on the bill for the plenary session during the week of 11 March. The legislation was jointly registered in September by a broad coalition including the Socialists’ Party of Catalonia (PSC), Together for Catalonia (Junts), Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), Catalunya en Comú (Comuns), and the Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP). Given this wide backing, the bill is widely expected to clear this first stage and proceed to committee, overcoming the sole objection filed by the far-right party Vox.

A New Framework to End the ‘Taxi Wars’

The proposal seeks to establish a stable legal framework after years of bitter conflict between traditional taxis and VTCs (Vehicles de Transport amb Conductor, or private hire vehicles). These tensions frequently spilled over into protests and strikes, most notably causing severe gridlock during the opening of major events like MWC. Proponents argue the law will “pacify the streets” and protect a vital public service from deregulation and precarious labour conditions.

The cornerstone of the legislation is the elevation of the taxi sector to a “service of general economic interest.” This strategic shift would prioritise taxis in the granting of urban licences, effectively relegating VTCs to a “totally secondary position” within the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. The long-term objective, according to the bill’s supporters, is a gradual phasing out of VTCs to ensure complete territorial coverage by the taxi fleet.

The taxi union Élite Taxi, and its influential spokesperson, Tito Álvarez, have championed this move. Álvarez, a central figure in the taxi lobby’s campaign, has relentlessly pressured political parties to deliver the new legal framework. His leadership has been a key factor in bringing the bill to parliament, even as he has hinted at a possible future retirement from his high-profile role.

Strict Controls and Hefty Fines

To enforce the new hierarchy, the law proposes stringent new controls on VTC platforms. According to the text reported by El Periódico, a key provision is the mandatory installation of geolocation devices in all VTC fleets. This would allow the administration to monitor services in real-time, detect infringements, and eliminate legal grey areas in how passengers are sourced.

The legislation also significantly increases penalties for non-compliance. Key measures include:

  • Fines of up to €6,000 for operating without authorisation or with falsified documents.
  • Penalties of up to €4,000 for picking up passengers without a pre-booked contract or failing to meet technical requirements.

For left-wing parties Comuns and CUP, these measures are a “fundamental tool” to guarantee decent working conditions and protect drivers from the business models of large digital platforms. The PSC has described the taxi as an “indispensable complement to regulated public transport,” while the ERC, whose government under former president Pere Aragonès initiated the bill, has claimed authorship of a law designed to bring peace to Barcelona’s streets.

The Road Ahead

Despite the united front, the legislative journey is far from over. After the bill passes its initial vote, it will then move to the Territory Committee for detailed debate, expert hearings, and amendments. The parties have deliberately eschewed an urgent procedure at the request of Junts, allowing for a more deliberate pace to refine the text. This means final approval of the law may not arrive until the end of 2026.

During the upcoming committee stage, several points of contention will likely surface. Junts and the CUP have already signalled their intention to table amendments. They aim to raise the required level of Catalan for drivers from the proposed B1 to a more advanced B2, arguing this is essential for quality customer service. Furthermore, Junts has emphasised the law’s need for “legal security”. This aims to prevent it from being overturned by the courts, balancing strict regulation with the principle of free competition.

The VTC sector has fiercely opposed the bill, warning of significant job losses and a reduction in mobility options for citizens. The proposed law directly challenges the business models of companies like Uber and Cabify. Cabify, for instance, has recently tried to integrate traditional cabs into its app through its Cabify Taxi service. As the bill progresses, a robust legal and public relations battle is all but certain.