Thousands of taxi drivers protested on Thursday in Madrid against competitors such as Uber, echoing similar recent demonstrations in neighbouring France.
The country that invented tapas understands the concept of sharing. But baking that idea into Spain’s regulatory policies is proving to be more difficult, writes Gary Shapiro.
The Spanish Federation of Taxi Drivers (Fedetaxi) is calling for a European alliance to fight against Uber while the ride-sharing company continues to face legal battles across the continent.
US smartphone app firm Uber reappeared in Spain Thursday as a home food delivery network after a court banned it from operating its taxi service following complaints from professional drivers
Popular web-based taxi company Uber has suspended its amateur driver service in Spain after it received confirmation of a court ruling to ban it in the country.
Smartphone car-ride service Uber vowed on Friday to keep operating in Spain despite a ban following a lawsuit by taxi drivers and said it would fight the case in court.
Updated: A judge in Madrid on Tuesday ordered the taxi app company Uber to immediately stop all operations in Spain, a decision the company has said it could appeal.
The Catalan parliament on Wednesday stepped up its war against the taxi app Uber by passing a motion calling for an urgent change to existing laws which would see Uber cars impounded, a move that comes in the middle of a PR crisis for the US firm.
Two cars belonging to drivers working for the app-based chauffeur service Uber saw their vehicles torched recently, the latest incidents in the company's difficult arrival on the Spanish market.
Many of Madrid's taxi drivers will go on strike on Tuesday between 11am and 1pm on Tuesday in protest against the controversial app-based chauffeur service Uber.
After Barcelona announced plans to impound the vehicles of people caught using the app-based chauffeur service Uber, Madrid's regional government has launched a crackdown that will allow police to fine drivers and passengers up to €18,000 ($22,600).
The app-based chauffeur car service Uber began operations in Madrid on Tuesday but local taxi drivers told The Local they are far from happy about the move, claiming it promotes Spain's submerged economy.
Around 50 taxi drivers are seriously disrupting traffic in central Barcelona on Friday, their latest action protesting the mobile taxi app Uber, which they claim threatens their livelihood.
The people behind the mobile taxi app Uber have gone on a charm offensive, offering free ice creams on Friday afternoon to users in Barcelona, a city where use of the controversial app is currently banned.
Police in Barcelona have been given instructions on how to take action against drivers they think may be using the mobile taxi app Uber as part of a crackdown on illegal taxi services in the city.
Taxi drivers in Barcelona are striking on Tuesday as the sector continues to protest against the taxi app Uber, while fewer taxi roads are also expected on the road in Madrid.
Luís de Guindos, Spain's Economy Minister, has told taxi drivers who are striking and petitioning the government over taxi alternatives like the 'Uber smartphone app that they will have to "adapt" to changing technology.
The European Union has turned down calls from Spain for assistance in the conflict between the taxi industry and the taxi app Uber, saying the issue is a national one.
The Spanish government wants the European Union to step in and create clear rules for the popular taxi app Uber after taxi drivers in Spain on Wednesday went on strike to protest against its use.
Spain's Catalonia region on Tuesday announced plans to fine drivers who use the taxi app Uber as much as €6,000 ($8,000), but the company told The Local they believe there is space for everyone to operate together.
