A sweeping new law, aimed at regulating taxis and progressively phasing out ride-hailing services like Uber and Cabify from the Barcelona metropolitan area, has passed its first hurdle in the Catalan Parliament. This controversial bill, which seeks to end the long-running conflict between traditional taxis and app-based VTCs (private hire vehicles), will now advance through the legislative process after lawmakers defeated a motion to block it.

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On Wednesday, the plenary session of the Parliament of Catalonia rejected a Vox party amendment that would have halted the bill. With this initial obstacle cleared, the proposed law, informally known as the ‘new taxi law’, will proceed to committee stage for further debate and refinement. A final vote is expected in the second half of this year. A broad coalition of parties, including the Socialists (PSC), Junts, ERC, Comuns, and CUP, brought forward the legislation, signalling significant political will to reshape the region’s personal transport sector. As the Catalan Parliament prepared to vote on this sweeping new law, its central aim became clear: to reassert the primacy of the traditional taxi as a fundamental public service.

The End of the Road for VTCs?

At the heart of the proposed law lies a plan for the gradual elimination of the approximately 1,000 VTC licences currently operating within the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB). The text stipulates that these licences will not be renewed as they expire. According to reports in 20 Minutos, officials estimate that around 600 urban VTC licences are estimated to become void as soon as the law comes into force.

To avoid abrupt disruption, the law proposes a ‘smooth transition’, allowing the remaining 300 or so licences to continue operating until their individual expiration dates. For any VTC services that remain, the legislation envisions a new, more restrictive category called ‘Alta Disposición’ (High Availability). This would require users to book a vehicle at least two hours in advance, with the car remaining at the client’s exclusive disposal for a full hour, fundamentally altering the on-demand model popularised by Uber and Cabify.

However, the bill includes key exemptions. The gradual phase-out of VTCs will not apply during major international events like MWC Barcelona, when demand for transport soars. During these periods, VTCs with interurban licences from outside the AMB will receive temporary permission to operate, a policy echoing past decisions where the Catalan government lifted VTC restrictions for the congress.

New Rules for Taxis and Fierce Opposition

The proposed changes are not limited to VTCs. The law also seeks to modernise the taxi sector, addressing common user complaints. New obligations for taxi drivers include adherence to tariffs set by the Metropolitan Taxi Institute (IMET), alongside a strict ban on rejecting services or cancelling a pre-booked ride to take a more lucrative fare. Furthermore, a new geolocation platform will be established to monitor both taxis and VTCs for irregularities.

The influential taxi union Élite Taxi champions this initiative. Its leader, Tito Álvarez, argued from the Parliament that the law is essential to “protect the public service” and prevent mobility from falling “into the hands of large platforms that fluctuate prices.” The union has also proposed an amendment that would allow VTC drivers to exchange their licence for a temporary taxi licence, valid for up to eight years, potentially adding 1,500 taxis to the city’s fleet.

Conversely, the VTC sector has reacted with alarm. The industry association Unauto VTC has warned the law could destroy up to 6,000 direct and indirect jobs. Citing a report it commissioned from the University of Barcelona, the group claims the legislation contains “multiple contradictions” with European law. According to El País, the report argues the law creates “totally artificial differences” between taxis and VTCs, contradicting a 2023 European Court of Justice ruling that struck down Barcelona’s previous 1-to-30 ratio of VTC to taxi licences.

The Road Ahead

With the bill now in committee, the parties will negotiate a final text. Sticking points remain, such as a proposal by Junts to require a B2 level of Catalan for taxi drivers, up from the B1 level in the current draft. Other parties have indicated they are open to amendments, with the Comuns focusing on tackling the issue of “false self-employed” drivers in the sector.

While the bill has broad support, its passage is not guaranteed to be smooth. The conservative People’s Party (PP) has announced it will present amendments to “substantially change the text,” and the VTC sector is expected to mount legal challenges if the law is approved in its current form. Ultimately, the final vote will determine the future of ride-hailing in one of Europe’s most popular cities.