Uber suspends Barcelona service after new regulations introduced

Taxi-hailing giant Uber is suspending its service in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The move comes after new regulations were passed by local authorities, according to Reuters. The company started its UberX service in the city last year. But from now on, passengers using ride-hailing services will have to wait at least 15 minutes after booking a ride before they can be picked up – thus negating one of the key selling points of companies such as Uber. Speed and convenience – as well as cost – are w
February 5, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Taxi-hailing giant 8336 Uber is suspending its service in the Spanish city of Barcelona.

The move comes after new regulations were passed by local authorities, according to %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Reuters false https://uk.reuters.com/article/uber-spain/uber-suspends-taxi-service-in-barcelona-after-new-regulation-idUKE8N1YJ00C false false%>.

The company started its UberX service in the city last year. But from now on, passengers using ride-hailing services will have to wait at least 15 minutes after booking a ride before they can be picked up – thus negating one of the key selling points of companies such as Uber.

Speed and convenience – as well as cost – are what help make taxi-hailing companies so popular with users, but existing taxi firms have long complained of the effects on their own business.

The move in Barcelona by Catalan authorities comes after protests by cab drivers, and reflects more widespread problems for %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external policymakers false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/enforcement/news/rapidly-changing-mobility-environment-is-challenging-policymakers-says-uk-dft/ false false%> as they wrestle all over the world with the consequences of fast-spreading new mobility services.

Taxi drivers are currently on strike in Spain’s capital, Madrid, in part because of what they see as the unfair advantage which taxi-hailing apps enjoy. Madrid’s authorities have so far not offered similar %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external concessions false https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/01/28/inenglish/1548662803_560309.html false false%> to those in Barcelona.

An Uber spokesman is quoted as saying: “The new restrictions approved by the Catalan Government leave us with no choice but to suspend UberX while we assess our future in Barcelona. We are committed to being a long term partner to Spanish cities and hope to work with the Catalan Government and the City Council on fair regulation for all.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Denso to open automated vehicle technology centre in Tokyo
    November 1, 2018
    Denso is to open a facility at Haneda Airport in Tokyo in June 2020 to develop and test automated driving technologies. The company says the site will feature a building and proving ground for mobility systems research and development. It will also develop automated driving technology researched at its global R&D facility in Tokyo which opened in April. This office was developed to promote collaboration with Denso’s development partners which include automakers, universities, research institutes
    Read More
  • Register now for Australian ITS Summit and NeTC
    May 5, 2015
    For the first time, the Australian ITS Summit and the National electronic Tolling Conference (NeTC), which takes place on 12-14 May in Melbourne, will combine as the most important gathering in Australia for ITS professionals in 2015. Delegates attending the combined Summit/NeTC Tolling Conference will have flexibility in attendance and choice of sessions. Attendees can register for: just the NeTC Tolling Conference, just the ITS Summit, or both.
    Read More
  • Waymo gets California green light for public driverless tests
    November 2, 2018
    Waymo has been granted a licence to test fully-driverless cars on public roads in California. It is the first company to be given the green light for such trials in the state – and it means there will be no test driver sitting in the driver’s seat. The permit includes day and night testing on city streets, rural roads and highways with speed limits of up to 65mph. Waymo insists: “Our vehicles can safely handle fog and light rain, and testing in those conditions is included in our permit. We will gradual
    Read More
  • Ford’s decision to bin Chariot ride-share service came after ‘significant consideration’
    January 24, 2019
    Ford has given no explanation for the decision to abandon its ride-sharing shuttle service Chariot, but said it came after “significant consideration”. The service will stop operating on UK shuttle commuter routes tomorrow – after just a few months - and on US routes after 1 February. All Chariot services will cease completely by the end of March. A statement from the company gave little clue as to why: “In today’s mobility landscape, the wants and needs of customers and cities are changing rapidly. We a
    Read More

Highlighted Content