Taxi drivers have called a slow march for 15 October. They’re demanding local police across Barcelona’s metro area enforce Catalonia’s VTC rules. The convoy will roll through several Baix Llobregat towns.
The protest coincides with a general strike against the Palestine conflict. Several Catalan unions have organised that wider action. Meanwhile, taxi drivers want to focus on their specific issue with ride-hailing vehicles.
The convoy starts at Splau shopping centre in Cornella de Llobregat. It’ll pass through all municipalities down to Castelldefels. Then the taxis will turn around and head to El Prat. The plan is to surround the city with what organiser Tito Alvarez calls ‘a giant padlock of taxis’.
Alvarez is the spokesperson for Elite Taxi. He explained the problem clearly. There’s so much pressure in Barcelona and at the airport that VTCs are spreading out. In towns with just 10 to 15 taxis, they’re ruining drivers’ livelihoods.
The protest has a specific goal. Alvarez stated that all local police forces in Catalonia need proper training. More importantly, they must apply the law consistently.
On 14 October, there’s an assembly scheduled in Mataro. Taxi drivers will study new mobilisations there. They’ll also determine their next steps in the campaign.
Drivers say they’ve tried dialogue. They’ve approached town halls and local police about improving officer training. However, faced with a lack of initiative, they’ve decided to return to street action.
They’re also requesting an urgent meeting. The list includes Interior Minister Nuria Parlon, Mossos director Josep Lluis Trapero, Commissioner Eduard Sallent, and local police director Daniel Limones.
Furthermore, taxi drivers want access to VTC service control registries. These belong to the Mobility and Infrastructure Secretariat under the Territory Department. If all local police could access these systems, officers could conduct inspections with full guarantees.
Alvarez cited positive examples. Sitges Local Police, Barcelona’s Guardia Urbana, and the Mossos’ Metropolitan South Traffic Division all enforce the law properly, he claims.
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