Spain: Nationwide taxi strike on May 30

Event

Taxi drivers in Spain have announced a nationwide strike will be held on Tuesday, May 30, to protest car-pooling and taxi hire schemes throughout the country, which they claim are threatening their livelihoods. Taxi drivers are particularly protesting the use of Uber, Cabify, and BlaBla Car, and a rally will be held from 12:00 ( local time) from Madrid's central Atocha station to the Neptune roundabout at approximately 13:30. Demonstraters are demanding that in lieu of ridesharing apps being banned, a limit should be imposed of one rideshare per thirty taxis.

These strikes will likely result in significant transportation disruptions in cities across Spain both during and following the strike periods.

Context

According to the ministry of public works, Spain has 66,800 taxi licenses compared to 5654 rideshare licenses, however this number is set to increase; since Uber began operating in Spain in 2014, vehicle numbers have increased by 105 percent. Similar protests have been held in Spain before; several Cabify cars were torched during Feria de Abril in Seville.

Advice

Travelers are advised to monitor the situation, plan alternate methods of transportation, and anticipate travel delays (particularly to and from airports and train stations).