The conclusion of the evenings in the nightclubs of the Front Marítim has acquired a crucial importance for the inhabitants of Barcelona who enjoy the nightlife as reported today by ElPeriodico. Although cabs are readily available, the experience can be frustrating for many.
On occasion, despite the presence of a line of waiting cabs, local residents are often confronted with elusive responses such as “waiting for someone” or being completely overlooked.
On the other hand, foreign visitors are often confronted with situations where cab drivers ask for exorbitant fares, even demanding a fixed 50 or even 100 euros (depending on the number of passengers) to take them to their hotels. This form of cheating has been accentuated due to the celebration of festivals and events in Barcelona, such as the Primavera SoundSonar, Brunch Electronik and Circuit, which has resulted in a situation where tourists are not aware of the cab regulations in the city and the obligation to use the taximeter.
The tension generated has reached a critical point.
The tension generated by this irregular practice has reached a critical point that has led a group of cab drivers to take drastic measures on recent nights. At the Forum, a group of cab drivers used fire extinguishers to spray a vehicle that made an improper charge, reflecting the frustration and discontent that this situation has generated.
In order to meet this challenge, nightlife entertainment establishments in the coastal area have intensified private security to prevent this type of scams and deter those who try to take advantage of tourists. Despite this, this problem persists in areas of high activity and high tourist influx, such as the Brunch Electronik in the Parc del Fòrum, where the incident occurred recently.
Élite Taxi has been warning for months
The Élite Taxi union has been warning for months about the trend of inflated fares and illegal fixed fares. They have expressed their indignation at the use of Barcelona’s prestige to defraud those who require cab services. They advocate changes to cab legislation that would impose penalties similar to those faced by VTCs and result in the immobilization of the vehicle of a cab driver who engages in such actions until he pays a fine of €4001 to recover it.
Tito Álvarez, leader of Élite Taxi, has made it clear to “El Periódico” that the union is not backing violent actions, but supports the sector’s efforts to confront this problem. They have announced the formation of control patrols to identify violators and alert the Guardia Urbana. They assure that they will be clearly identified with vests and will be visible to guarantee the transparency of their actions.
It is evident that the professional image of the guild has been affected by the unethical behavior of some cab drivers. In recent days, events such as Brunch and Circuit have been the scene of multiple scams. Taking advantage of the tourists’ lack of knowledge, some cab drivers have even asked for between 50 and 200 euros for relatively short trips, such as from the Forum or the Go Beach club to the center of Barcelona, or even to Sitges.
An alarming concern is the possible collaboration among some cab drivers to amplify these fraudulent practices. Occasionally, when a passenger refuses to board a non-metered cab and the driver is reprimanded, the driver alerts his colleagues, resulting in the mass withdrawal of cabs from the area and the absence of service, leaving travelers unattended.
In short, the conclusion of the nights in the clubs of the Front Marítim has become a critical point for both local residents and tourists. The lack of transparency in fares and the inappropriate use of cabs are affecting the entertainment experience in the city. Despite efforts in surveillance and control, changes in legislation and greater professional ethics are required to solve this problem and preserve the image of Barcelona as a tourist destination of excellence.
