Málaga VTC platforms exceed taxi licenses but face festival bans

In Málaga, ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, Cabify, and Bolt have surpassed traditional taxis in the number of licenses issued. Despite this, these VTC (Vehicle Through Contract) services remain banned from the immediate areas of the Feria de Agosto festival grounds.

José Manuel Berzal, president of Unauto VTC, stated that the exclusion of these platforms discriminates against VTC drivers and negatively impacts citizens by increasing wait times. He noted that users wishing to use private transport options were forced to rely on taxis, which struggled to meet demand, or wait at distant pickup points, which can pose safety risks during late-night hours.

While VTC platforms represent a significant customer base for major local events and tourism, the local government has maintained its preference for the taxi sector, declining to reach agreements with the platforms to allow service within the festival perimeter.