The Spanish government on Tuesday angered the ride-hailing transport industry by allowing regions to restrict their activities despite a ruling by the European Union's top court that had overturned a set of local curbs in Barcelona.
Associations representing drivers working with app platforms operating in Spain, such as Uber, Bolt and local rival Cabify, said they would challenge the decision in Brussels and ask the European Commission to open legal proceedings against Spain.
He added: We regret the aim is again to impose limits on business activity and not the users' right to get a quality service.
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a decree allowing regional authorities to require drivers of private cars for hire to respect additional criteria to be able to operate in specific areas, Calvino said.
The Supreme Court declares that these criteria must be justified for reasons such as environmental protection, road safety, or sustainability of public interest services such as regular taxis.
That last motive goes against a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union that strikes down restrictions imposed in Barcelona, said Feneval and UnAuto, two associations of drivers and fleet owners.
The decision was ruled on 8 June alleging that the Barcelona restrictions aiming to reduce the number of private vehicles transporting passengers hired through mobile platforms to protect the interests of taxi services violated EU laws by discriminating between different service providers.
Spain's transport ministry, however, said the new regulation complies with the court ruling and insisted the protection of taxis is in the general public interest.
The implementation of the Barcelona restrictions late last year had forced many self-employed drivers and fleet owners out of business and they welcomed the court's ruling as a precedent that institutionalised them as legitimate public transport operators.