The Generalitat’s decision to protect taxi fares is unleashing discomfort between the digital platforms that work with taxi drivers and the Catalan Competition Authority (ACCO). One of the reasons that explains the peace experienced during the last edition of Mobile was the Government’s commitment to protect the prices indicated by the taximeters.
Taxi drivers had been denouncing for months that the platforms that work with taxi drivers, providing them with careers in exchange for a commission, were trying to impose dynamic rates according to the laws of supply and demand, by applying discounts and bonuses based on their interests. Thus, users of the Free Now app these days receive emails that offer them discounts of up to 30% if their races take place in cities such as Madrid, Valencia and others. Barcelona is already off the list. Months ago, this platform tried to implement a high-demand supplement in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Around 4,000 Barcelona taxi drivers, one third, currently work with the Free Now app.
On Friday the Generalitat approved its budgets and an accompanying law that vetoes the application of discounts and increases in taxi fares. The ACCO stated yesterday that it believes this measure is detrimental to consumers. In a statement, it regrets that the measure “transfers the rigidity of the existing fixed rate system in the taxi market to the mediation services market.” Free Now didn’t like the news either. The platform points out that the initiative “violates the freedom of business of taxi drivers.” Elite Taxi, the main association of metropolitan taxi drivers, however, of course, openly celebrates it.
