VTC Sector Analysis
Interview with Marc Jussen, Spokesperson for Unauto VTC Catalunya
"We are at a critical moment, but also one of opportunity to define the future of mobility in Catalonia."
Journalist: Marc, thank you for speaking with us. We have been covering the struggle between the VTC sector, taxis, and the administrations in Catalonia for years. After the Generalitat's 2022 decree, several key court rulings, and a street coexistence that is not always easy, we would like to understand where the sector currently stands, how the arrival of major platforms has affected traditional VTCs, and what future you envision.
Marc Jussen: Thank you for giving us a voice. It is essential for citizens to understand the reality of our sector beyond the headlines and the pressure from certain groups. We are at a critical moment, but also one of opportunity to define the future of mobility in Catalonia.
After two years of a very restrictive decree, how is the VTC sector surviving in Catalonia?
"The health of the sector is that of a survivor. We survive despite hostile regulation designed not to regulate, but to expel. The 2022 decree was a severe blow. We have seen hundreds of self-employed individuals and small companies have to cease their activity or sell their licenses at a loss. We resist thanks to the resilience of our entrepreneurs and because the courts, little by little, are proving us right."
There is a lot of talk about the platforms, but how has this situation affected traditional VTC companies, the so-called "classic" ones?
"Absolutely. Traditional VTCs are the silent victims of this conflict. They are family businesses, with decades of history, who overnight found themselves with a regulation that forced them to change their entire fleet. They have been collateral damage in a regulatory war instigated by the taxi sector, which does not seek fair competition, but the elimination of any alternative."
In hindsight, what has the massive entry of platforms like Uber or Cabify meant?
"The platforms have been a catalyst for modernity. They have democratized the service, opening it up to a much wider audience. They have brought innovation, price transparency, and a quality that users have overwhelmingly valued. The market is not a pie to be divided; technology has made it bigger."
With so much uncertainty, how have the working conditions of drivers evolved?
"Our main concern is the stability of the thousands of jobs generated by the sector. The biggest threat to working conditions is not the apps, but regulatory uncertainty. A driver cannot have stability if every six months there is a threat of a new decree that could put them out of a job. Companies scrupulously comply with labor legislation; what we ask for is a stable framework to guarantee employment."
The European Court of Justice declared the 1/30 ratio that limited VTC licenses illegal. In practice, what has changed since that ruling?
"The ECJ ruling was an immense moral and legal boost. It confirms that artificial restrictions are illegal. In practice, however, change is slow. The metropolitan administration continues to create bureaucratic obstacles, looking for loopholes to avoid applying the sentence in its entirety. It is a victory in the war, but not yet in all the battles."
Besides that one, what are the main legal battles you are currently facing?
"We have multiple fronts open. The main one is the appeal against the Generalitat's 2022 decree law in its entirety. We are challenging the vehicle length requirements and, in general, the entire regulatory framework that seeks to push us out of the market. We are confident that the courts will annul these unfair impositions."
How is the dialogue with the Generalitat and the Barcelona City Council?
"Communication is, to be generous, improvable. We often feel like we are talking to a wall. They meet with us out of formal obligation, but their decisions are already made in advance, always yielding to the blackmail of the taxi sector. There is no real will to create a fair framework for everyone."
During major events like the Mobile World Congress, the rules for VTCs are relaxed. What does this show?
"The MWC is the perfect example of the administration's hypocrisy. During that week, they realize that taxis are not enough. This shows that we are a necessary service and that the day-to-day restrictions are purely artificial and political. If we are the solution during the most important congress in the world, why are we the problem the rest of the year?"
Is a model of real coexistence between taxis and VTCs possible?
"Not only is it possible, it is essential. Coexistence means understanding that we are different services that cater to different demands. The key is freedom: that the citizen chooses at any given moment which option suits them best. This is achieved with clear and fair rules for everyone, not by banning one to benefit another."
If you could write a new law, what would be its non-negotiable pillars?
"Our proposal is clear and is based on three pillars. First: Freedom of Choice for the citizen. Second: Proportional and Non-Discriminatory Rules, the same requirements for everyone. And third: Commitment to Technology and Sustainability, integrating all mobility options into single platforms."
The taxi sector accuses Unauto of being a lobby that only defends the big platforms. What is your response?
"That is a false caricature they promote to discredit us. Unauto VTC Catalunya represents the entire sector, from the self-employed person with a single license to the largest company. The vast majority of our members are small and medium-sized Catalan companies. Our mission is to defend the right of our members to work and the right of citizens to choose."
Journalist: Marc Jussen, thank you very much for your time and for clarifying Unauto's position on such a complex issue.
Marc Jussen: Thank you for the space. It is vital that all voices are heard in order to build a fairer and more modern mobility for everyone in Catalonia.
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