VTC sector protests erupted in central Barcelona on Tuesday as a giant banner warned of the impending impact of Catalonia’s new taxi law.
The 18-metre-high display on Carrer Pelai coincided with a major taxi strike, creating a stark visual confrontation over the future of urban mobility in the city.
VTC Sector Warns of Economic and Social Impact
The banner, placed by the employers’ association Unauto VTC, carried a direct message to the public: “This could be your last trip (in a VTC).
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Don’t allow it.” This dramatic action aimed to highlight what the group calls the effective eradication of platforms like Uber, Cabify, and Bolt under the proposed regional legislation. Consequently, the city centre became a battleground of competing transport narratives.
Unauto’s executive president, José Manuel Berzal, strongly criticised the concurrent taxi strike organised by Élite Taxi. “Barcelona cannot continue to be held hostage by a minority that boasts of dictating laws,” he stated. Furthermore, he called on the regional government to intervene, arguing the situation has persisted for too long.
The association projects severe consequences if the law passes. They claim it would deprive thousands of a mobility option, worsen Barcelona’s transport shortage, and leave over 6,000 people unemployed. Additionally, Berzal framed the economic fallout in stark terms, suggesting lost tax revenue could fund 70 primary care centres.
This transport clash occurs against a backdrop of broader urban challenges. For instance, recent debates over proposed taxi fare increases have already highlighted tensions within the city’s mobility ecosystem. Meanwhile, Uber launched a counter-offer, announcing a direct €1,500 aid package to taxi licence holders who join its app.
The political and economic stakes are therefore immense. The standoff reported by El Periódico underscores a deep divide. Ultimately, the VTC sector’s giant banner serves as a highly visible last stand in a regulatory battle that will reshape how Barcelona moves.
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