Taxi drivers in Barcelona plead for government help to save the industry before economic ruin
Taxi drivers in Barcelona have taken to the streets with their cars to plead for government help to save the industry from financial ruin.
The demonstration, which was organised by taxi industry representatives Elite Taxi & Grupo Movilizacion, involved around 1,000 taxi drivers who are licensed to work within the Barcelona Metropolitan area.
After gathering on Monday morning, they slowly drove their vehicles through the centre of the Catalan city, leaving free only a single lane for emergency services.
The taxi drivers then parked their vehicles and walked towards the Government building hosting the administration of Teresa Cunillera, Madrid’s delegate to Catalonia.
Drivers stressed that unless the trade received financial support, it would struggle to survive the economic impact which the coronavirus pandemic has brought onto the trade.
The taxi drivers say they urgently need government support and a freeze on the repayment of bank loans, many of which are due next month, to keep their business afloat. Otherwise around 14,000 families face economic ruin.
The lack of reaction from the authorities has disappointed the protesters, and more protests like this will follow until the demands are heard, organisers have said.
