Ground transport in Spain’s third-largest metropolitan area ground to a halt between 06:00 on 25 February and 06:00 on 26 February as Valencia’s taxi drivers staged a 24-hour walk-out. The stoppage, flagged in a SafeAbroad advisory, aimed to pressure the regional government into approving a long-promised decree to limit ride-hailing and short-term rental cars. Travellers faced long waits and surged prices on alternative platforms. Hotel concierges reported difficulty securing airport transfers, while corporate travel managers scrambled to pre-book private shuttles for visiting executives attending the Mobile & Smart Cities Expo. Regional rail and metro services absorbed some spill-over demand but were themselves crowded by rush-hour commuters. The decree, still in draft form, would cap the number of ride-share vehicles allowed to operate inside Valencia’s urban core and impose minimum pricing to protect traditional taxis. Unions say similar rules in Madrid and Barcelona have stabilised earnings after years of “unfair competition”. Although the strike ended on schedule, organisers warned of further action if legislation is not published by Easter. Companies with frequent staff movements in Valencia should retain contingency transport providers and monitor union announcements.
Source: SafeAbroad
