Quito taxi drivers protest Uber partnership and demand digital platform regulation

Taxi drivers and representatives in Quito, Ecuador, staged protests on October 19, 2026, to voice opposition to a recent agreement between the Unión de Taxis de Pichincha and Uber. The partnership, known as Uber Taxi, allows traditional yellow taxis to be requested via the app using regulated meter rates.

Protesters, led by the Asociación de Taxistas de Pichincha, argued that the agreement was made without consulting the broader driver base. They expressed concerns regarding labor precarity and the lack of clear regulations for private vehicles operating through digital platforms.

Demonstrators are calling on the Ecuadorian government to expedite the implementation of the Organic Law of Land Transport, Traffic, and Road Safety. They seek permanent inspections and a formal regulatory framework to ensure fair competition between traditional taxi services and digital ride-hailing applications.