Truckers view measures to mitigate impact of war 'insufficient and populist'

Transport operators criticize the measures unveiled by Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez's government, saying that despite easing costs for consumers, they are insufficient for the sector as a whole.

The secretary of the Confederation of Road Transport Companies of Catalonia (CETCAT), Jordi Esparreguera, is critical of the direct aid of 20 cents per liter for professional diesel. 

He describes it as a "populist" measure, arguing that there is no guarantee the reduction will be fully passed on to transport operators.

"In practice, once we account for both indirect and specific taxes included in our rates, the discount is reduced to around five cents," Esparreguera claims.

He continues: "With the outbreak of the war in the Middle East and the sudden rise in fuel prices, transport operators have had to absorb all of these additional costs." 

Between €300 and €600

CETCAT claims that transport companies are seeing additional costs of between €300 and €600 per week per vehicle as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. 

"The measures adopted by the national government are designed for end consumers, but for professionals, the situation is far more complex,” Esparreguera explains. “What is needed are structural and sector-specific measures, separate from general aid.”

He stresses that the sector is closely monitoring how the measures approved by the Catalan government on March 24 to address the impact of the war are implemented.

Within the €400 million package approved by Salvador Illa's government, transport-related measures include an exemption from the CO₂ tax for trucks.