Spain: National taxi strike July 27

Event

Taxi unions across Spain have called for a 24-hour strike on Thursday, July 27, in all of the country’s major cities including Madrid and Barcelona, to urge the government to legally protect regulated taxi companies against apps such as Uber or Cabify, which offer cheaper services.

A protest is also scheduled in Madrid to protest against the lack of legal structure, currently facilitating the development of ride-hailing transportation apps. The protest is set to begin at 12:00 (local time) from Plaza de Cuzco and to end at Nuevos Ministerios at 14:00, in front of the Ministry of Transport.

Meanwhile taxi services from Barcelona-El Prat Airport are severely limited since 6:00, solely running for persons with reduced mobility. Services from Terminal 1 are entirely suspended, where taxi drivers have gathered to start a series of marches in protest.

Despite these calls for protests, Fedetaxi, a union representing 70% of taxi drivers, is refusing to participate in the strike, arguing that the government has showed serious initiative into protecting professional taxi services.

Context

As a reminder, Uber, although accessible in most of Spain, remains illegal in Barcelona.

There have been a number of strikes this year launched by Spanish taxi drivers to protest against the proliferation of ride-hailing transportation apps.

Advice

Travelers are advised to seek alternative means of transportation and allow for extra time to reach their destination.