19/02/2016
Barcelona's Streets Gridlocked: Taxi Drivers Stage Slow March Protest
Barcelona's typically bustling city centre experienced significant disruption on Tuesday, May 28th, as taxi drivers, organised by the professional association Élite Taxi, embarked on a slow march protest. The demonstration saw approximately 900 taxis participating, according to the Barcelona Urban Guard, effectively cutting off traffic flow through the Catalan capital's core. This action was a clear signal to both the public and the incoming Generalitat government, highlighting deep-seated concerns within the taxi sector, particularly regarding the perceived 'descontrol' of Vehicle for Hire (VTC) services, such as Uber and Cabify, in Barcelona. The drivers are also advocating for a new law governing passenger transport in vehicles with up to nine seats, which is slated to replace the current taxi law that has been in place since 2003.
The Core Demands of the Taxi Drivers
The protest was not merely a show of force; it was underpinned by specific, actionable demands that Élite Taxi intends to present to the Ministry of Transport. Following an assembly where these points were voted upon, the key requests are twofold. Firstly, the drivers are demanding a regulation of the prices for mandatory taxi insurance. Many drivers report that these insurance premiums have soared, with some exceeding €3,000 annually. They argue that insurers are unfairly lumping taxis with VTCs when calculating risk and premiums, leading to higher costs for taxi operators. Secondly, Élite Taxi is pushing for the authority for autonomous communities to set a maximum limit on VTC licenses. This, they believe, would allow regions like Catalonia to better regulate the number of VTCs operating within their borders.
Awaiting Government Action: The September Deadline
The taxi drivers have set a firm deadline for action. If a regulatory framework to control VTC platforms is not implemented by September 1st of this year, Élite Taxi has vowed to escalate their protests. Future actions will include slow marches on their weekly rest days, specifically targeting areas around the port, airport, and Sants station, with the aim of causing maximum disruption and drawing further attention to their cause. A crucial meeting with the Ministry of Transport is scheduled after the European elections on June 9th, where these demands will be formally presented. The outcome of this meeting is expected to shape the future trajectory of the taxi sector's industrial action.
The Scale of the Demonstration
The protest on May 28th saw a significant number of taxis converge in the city. Starting from Plaça d'Espanya, 551 taxis initially set off towards Gran Via with Bailén. This figure was bolstered by additional vehicles joining the convoy as it progressed. The march itself was described as a 'kilometric' procession, with the front of the slow march reaching the Muntaner street and Gran Via intersection, while the tail end was still at Plaça d'Espanya, its starting point, 40 minutes after commencement. This created a substantial traffic bottleneck, impacting several key arteries of the city.
Impact on Public Transport
The slow march inevitably caused considerable disruption to public transport services. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) reported significant affectations on numerous bus lines. Lines including D50, H16, V13, V15, V17, X1, 7, 19, 22, 24, 39, 47, 55, 59, 63, and 67 were impacted. Additionally, at the initial gathering point on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, lines 13, 23, 46, 65, 79, 150, and 165 experienced disruptions, with specific bus stops (393, 3793, 3794, and 3795) being cancelled. Despite the disruption, the taxi drivers ensured that a lane was kept clear for buses on Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes, where they occupied three lanes.
A Wider National Movement?
The grievances voiced by Barcelona's taxi drivers are not isolated. Similar protests have been observed in Madrid, where hundreds of taxi drivers from across Spain gathered. Organized by the Antaxi association, these drivers also protested against what they termed 'abusive' practices by insurance companies that threaten the sector's stability. Their demands mirror those in Barcelona, particularly concerning the disproportionate impact of VTC accident rates on taxi insurance premiums. The Madrid demonstration saw taxi drivers congregating at the Ministry of Transport and later moving to the Ministry of Economy. Julio Sanz, president of Antaxi, highlighted the 'helplessness' felt by professionals facing renewal premiums exceeding €7,000 annually. Both associations are united in their call for taxi-specific risk calculations, separate from VTC data, to ensure fair insurance pricing.
A Previous Large-Scale Mobilisation
This recent protest echoes a previous significant mobilisation. On Wednesday, Élite Taxi led another slow march along Barcelona's Ronda de Dalt and Ronda Litoral. This demonstration, which saw over 5,000 taxi drivers participate, effectively shut down these crucial ring roads surrounding the city. The leader of Élite Taxi, Tito Álvarez, hailed this as the 'biggest taxi march ever seen in the metropolitan area of Barcelona,' praising the 'impressive' response from the sector. The primary grievances during that protest also revolved around insurance costs and the operation of 'illegal' VTCs via platforms. The drivers' frustration was palpable, with one driver from Sant Andreu de la Barca lamenting having to work an excessive number of hours simply to cover a €4,000 insurance premium, a stark increase from the €500 he paid just a year prior.
The Two Columns of Taxis
In a particularly impactful display during a previous protest, two distinct columns of taxis circled the Catalan capital. One column navigated the Ronda Litoral, while the second took to the Ronda de Dalt in the direction of Trinitat. These columns then merged and continued along the opposite carriageway towards Llobregat, completing a full circuit of the city via both ring roads. This coordinated manoeuvre effectively paralysed traffic on these vital routes, underscoring the taxi drivers' ability to exert significant pressure when unified. The scale of this "kilometre-long march" was met with a strong reaction from Élite Taxi's leader, who exclaimed, "¡Tela marinera!" ("That's something else!") upon witnessing its magnitude.
Future Protests and the Road Ahead
The current protest is part of an ongoing campaign by Élite Taxi to address systemic issues within the transport sector. The group has a history of impactful demonstrations, including a planned strike for February 11th, which would have involved a slow march through the city centre, culminating at the Departament de Territori. Following the May 28th protest, Élite Taxi secured a meeting with the Generalitat's Directorate General of Transport and Mobility. Tito Álvarez expressed optimism, stating, "Today the determination of the taxi is reinforced, and we will take that same determination to the negotiation tables." He added, "It has been proven once again that this sector has no limits and that we are willing to go as far as necessary to end all the injustices we are suffering.""
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many taxis participated in the Barcelona slow march on May 28th?
Approximately 900 taxis participated, according to the Barcelona Urban Guard.
Q2: What are the main demands of Élite Taxi?
The main demands are the regulation of mandatory taxi insurance prices and the ability for autonomous communities to set maximum VTC license limits.
Q3: What is the deadline for action on VTC regulation?
The deadline is September 1st of this year. If no action is taken, further protests are planned.
Q4: What impact did the protest have on public transport?
Numerous bus lines were affected, with delays and some cancellations reported by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB).
Q5: Have similar protests occurred elsewhere in Spain?
Yes, hundreds of taxi drivers in Madrid also protested against insurance practices and VTC operations.
Q6: What was the outcome of the previous large-scale taxi march mentioned?
A previous march involving over 5,000 taxis saw the Ronda de Dalt and Ronda Litoral gridlocked, and led to a meeting with the Generalitat.
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