Taxi drivers on 'indefinite' strike in Barcelona and Madrid over Über and Cabify regulations
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 @ 3:31 PM
TAXI drivers are on strike in Barcelona for the fourth day running and, in Madrid, every single cabbie has now downed tools.
Drivers in Spain's largest two cities say their industrial action is 'indefinite' until their regional governments reach a mutually-satisfying solution over the presence of alternative road-based transport firms, such as Über and Cabify, on their streets.
They claim these cheaper modern methods are taking away trade and creating unfair competition, and want them to be placed under much stiffer regulation.
Protesting taxi drivers are currently filling the streets on foot, carrying placards, or in their cars, blocking major roads in both cities.
Madrid cabbies are due to meet with their regional transport minister Rosalía Gonzalo and president Ángel Garrido tomorrow (Tuesday) in an attempt to resolve the issue.
Garrido has proposed city councils dictate the length of time required to book an Über or Cabify ride in advance, so passengers cannot just hail them on the street or call them immediately via a mobile phone App – this being one of the mainstream taxi drivers' associations' complaints, since the majority of their business comes from passing trade.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com