Barcelona Taxi Drivers Threaten Massive Strike and Full Blockade of Gran Via

Barcelona taxi drivers are once again threatening to stage a massive strike, with the potential to disrupt the city's daily life. The last strike, which took place on Tuesday morning, came as an unpleasant surprise for Barcelona residents, causing significant delays for many on their way to work. Taxi vehicles effectively paralyzed road traffic in large parts of the city center.

This demonstration is in protest of a hefty fine of nearly €123,000 imposed by the Catalan Competition Authority (ACCO) on Elite Taxi, a prominent taxi company. The fine was issued in response to the taxi drivers' boycott and their calls for passengers to refrain from using Uber and other ride-sharing platforms that pose significant competition to traditional taxis.

Around 500 taxi vehicles participated in the strike that unfolded on Tuesday, causing traffic disruptions for several hours. However, Barcelona's taxi drivers show no signs of backing down and are now threatening to stage a new strike on September 11th. According to organizers, over 1,000 taxi vehicles will participate in this upcoming strike, completely paralyzing the central Gran Via avenue for a staggering 12 hours.