Taxi law limiting ride-hailing services clears first Parliament vote

Catalonia's proposed taxi law limiting ride-hailing services took a significant step forward on Wednesday as Parliament approved the first vote on the matter.

The law prioritizes traditional taxis over app-based private hire companies such as Uber, Cabify, and Bolt.

The bill cleared a full plenary vote, with Parliament rejecting the full amendment proposed by Vox. The Socialists, Junts, Esquerra Republicana (ERC), Comuns, CUP, and Aliança Catalana voted against while the People's Party (PP) abstained.

It now moves to committee, where parties can propose further changes before a final vote in Parliament.

Public service

The legislation recognises taxis as an "economic service of general interest" and regulates ride-hailing vehicles (known as VTCs in Catalan) as private, complementary services.

The bill establishes the taxi sector's central role in passenger transport and sets out obligations for public service, including universality, accessibility, and continuity. It also maintains the current system of official regulated fares.

Ride-hailing vehicles will operate strictly on a pre-booked basis as a complementary service.

The law introduces a gradual reduction of VTC licenses in the Barcelona metropolitan area as they expire.

Currently, there are around 1,000 licenses, with the government estimating that roughly 600 will lapse once the law comes into effect.

Debate

Far-right Vox MP Andrés Bello defended his party's amendment, citing potential conflicts with European Union rules and alleged "unconstitutionality" under Spanish law.

José Ignacio Aparici of the governing Socialists said the law protects users and provides stability to the sector, while pro-independence Junts MP Montserrat Ortiz said her party would propose modifications after consulting all stakeholders, adding that they want drivers to meet a B2 level in Catalan, rather than the lower B1.

Taxi drivers "satisfied"

Elite Taxi spokesperson Tito Álvarez welcomed the outcome of the parliamentary debate but urged parties not to use the sector as a "political weapon."

"We are satisfied because the amendment was rejected, as we expected, but it was interesting to hear each party's position," he said.

Álvarez expressed confidence that the future law will be implemented "almost as it is written," noting there is a large parliamentary majority in favour of protecting taxis as a public service and preventing "online platforms from having control over mobility."

"Room for negotiation"

On the other hand, Unauto VTC executive president José Manuel Berzal criticised the way the bill is being processed, warning it could have a significant impact on the sector.

Berzal said the text should not have been submitted as a parliamentary legislative proposal, but as a government bill "in a more transparent process" with all required reports.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the sector remains open to dialogue with parliamentary groups to introduce changes during the legislative process and seek "a fair and balanced mobility ecosystem."

"There is room for negotiation," he concluded.