Taxi strike spreads throughout Malaga province leaving thousands stranded

MALAGA PROVINCE’S taxi drivers have joined the recent strike sparked by the influx of Cabify drivers from other regions.

Thousands were left stranded at the Feria de Malaga on Sunday (August 13) when the snap strike was called. At Malaga airport hundreds were also stuck when the taxis there joined the protest late at night.

Taxi services in Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, Estepona, Manilva, Benahavis and Casares are operating with only half of their drivers. Tensions also threaten to spark protests in other regions of Spain where drivers have voiced their support for the cause.

There have also been reports of clashes at the airport between Cabify and taxi drivers, with witnesses claiming there were physical confrontations.

Union representatives have said the strike will continue indefinitely until “Cabify ceases its activities.”

The president of the Unified Association of Self-employed Taxis of Malaga, Jose Royon, said there “have been a series of agreements with the Council, and we have highlighted that the companies and VTCs – the licence required to transport people for a fee – need to go.”

 He added that he “regrets that the customer is the one suffering” the consequences of the strike at the moment.