Spain: Competition regulator files suit against government over Shared Ride restrictions

Spain’s CNMC will file an administrative suit against the Federal Government over their refusal to modify regulations on taxis and current limitations imposed on new competitors, such as Uber and Cabify, approved last year.

The CNMC has said it considers all the restrictions approved by the government on the operation of private drivers (VTC licences) should be eliminated, as new companies and online-based apps seek to use them “on behalf of a better-working Spanish economy.” The government’s regulations, for example, forbid hire-car services with VTC licenses from picking up passengers off the street, and require them to take reservations.

The regulator remarked that it is under its mandate to indict any decisions taken by Public Administration and oppose any norms that violate the principles of free and effective competition and economic regulation. Neither of the CNMC’s two previous requests to the Ministry of Development and other government offices has been acknowledged or pursued.

Full content: El Pais

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