Uber arrives in Asturias under the watchful eye of the taxi sector
The transport platform Uber has officially begun operating in Asturias this week. The American company has started its activity with a fleet of 40 chauffeur-driven vehicles, known as VTCs. For the moment, the service is available in the region's three largest cities: Oviedo, Gijón, and Avilés.
The Asturian taxi sector has received this news with great caution. Taxi cooperatives in the affected cities have warned that they will closely monitor Uber's work. According to taxi representatives, coexistence between both services will only be peaceful if the new platform strictly respects current transport regulations.
One of the main points of conflict is the type of services that VTC vehicles can perform. Taxi drivers point out that, according to regulations, these cars must focus mainly on intercity services, that is, journeys between different municipalities. For this reason, they demand rigorous control from the authorities to prevent Uber from performing functions that legally belong to local taxis.
Uber's arrival represents a significant change in the region's mobility. While some users celebrate having more options for getting around, traditional transport professionals fear unfair competition. The future of transport in Asturias will now depend on the institutions' ability to regulate the activity and ensure that all drivers work under the same legal conditions.
In conclusion, Uber's landing in Asturias opens a new stage in the community's public transport. The success of this model and social peace on the streets will depend on compliance with the rules and mutual respect between taxi drivers and the new VTC drivers.