Barcelona, Spain, is bracing for significant disruption as taxi drivers have threatened to block access to both the port of Barcelona and El Prat Airport unless the government addresses their concerns regarding ride-hailing services.

       This warning came during an assembly held on Passeig de Gràcia on Tuesday, where élite Taxi, a leading taxi drivers' association, organised a slow march to protest against platforms such as Cabify, Uber, and Bolt.

       The protest saw more than 1,500 vehicles participating, according to élite Taxi, although Guàrdia Urbana, the city police, reported the presence of around 900 vehicles. This protest caused significant traffic disruptions in the city center.

       élite Taxi spokesperson Tito álvarez announced that the taxi drivers are demanding new regulations for VTC (ride-hailing services) to be established before September. The association insists on autonomous communities having the authority to regulate the training of VTC drivers, with a specific call for a minimum B2 level of Catalan proficiency in Catalonia.

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       "We had discussions with the Ministry of Transport on Monday and will meet 'at the highest level' with representatives, including General Secretary of Land Transport Marta Serrano, on June 9 in Madrid," álvarez stated.

       álvarez stressed that if the government fails to provide satisfactory solutions, the taxi drivers will escalate their protests. "If it really is a left-wing government, it will protect us," he said. The sector has warned that they are prepared to demonstrate at key tourist locations. "We want to teach them that here rights are won from the streets. We will not return to the center of Barcelona; we will respect the citizens," álvarez added.

       The regional government of Catalonia has also been addressed by the taxi drivers, demanding that new VTC regulations be in place soon. "Either they operate legally, or there will be no peace in Barcelona," álvarez warned. The Catalan government has indicated that they are working on a new law that aims to regulate VTCs and is expected to be ready for approval soon.

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       Acting spokeswoman for Catalonia, Patrícia Plaja, confirmed that the proposed legislation includes most of the measures demanded by the taxi drivers. "The government worked for months with all parties involved on a new law, which was almost done and would have been approved in June if it wasn't for the early election call," Plaja said.

       The potential for widespread disruption has raised concerns about the impact on tourism in Barcelona, a city heavily reliant on its tourist economy. Blocking access to the port and airport could create chaos for visitors, particularly during the busy summer season.

       Tuesday’s slow march through Barcelona was a demonstration of the taxi drivers' resolve. The protest culminated in an assembly at Passeig de Gràcia around midday. "They want a business model that we are not going to allow here," álvarez said. He criticised the perceived illegality of VTC operations, citing over 5,000 fines issued by Mossos d'Esquadra and the Urban Police in the past two years.

       If their demands are not met, élite Taxi has threatened indefinite slow marches, potentially involving up to 2,000 taxi drivers daily. These mobilisations would target key areas such as the ring roads and the airport, aiming to pressure the government into action.