Barcelona’s city government is planning to rid the city of e-hail apps such as Uber, Bolt, Cabify, and FreeNow, primarily by not renewing licenses over the next few years.
The ‘Taxi Law,’ as its being called, would prioritize the city’s traditional cab services, which can also be ordered online or by phone. It has been introduced in the Catalan Parliament.
The targeted services, known officially as VTCs, or vehículo de transporte con conductor, have long been a point of conflict with the established taxi industry. There are about a thousand licensed cars working with the apps, and about 10,500 taxi licenses
Under the plan, current licenses, when they expire, will be renewed for only two years, leading to a gradual decline that, in theory, will leave no one hanging and give drivers time to find new jobs.
The new law also requires both taxi and VTC drivers to have not been convicted of murder, injury, crimes against sexual freedom or property. In addition, they will be required to show B-1 level knowledge of the Catalan language. Current drivers will have two years to meet the language requirement.
