Protest in Córdoba: app drivers reject the bill that limits their work

This Monday morning, app drivers protested against a pro-government bill that regulates the service in Córdoba Capital with stricter requirements. They demonstrated by blocking Caseros and Cañada to make their opposition to the ordinance, which limits licenses and reduces supply, visible. They claim that the measure would affect more than 400,000 users who depend on the service and that it would be reduced if the regulation is approved.

"We are workers and we ask to be heard," said a driver at the protest in downtown Córdoba this Monday morning. They stated that they submitted a document to the City Council outlining the points they consider critical in the pro-government proposal. They also criticized the fact that many councilors are unaware of how mobility apps actually work in Córdoba.

The pro-government bill stipulates that only 3,998 licenses will be granted to operate with apps like Uber, Cabify, and similar platforms. According to Uber, there are currently more than 20,000 people who drive in Córdoba at least once a week to earn extra income. If that cap is enforced, 77% of current drivers would be excluded from the system and would lose a key source of livelihood.

Additionally, Uber warned that those who drive between 10 and 15 hours per week would stop earning about $130,000 per month if they can't continue working. Uber also warned that the bill would lead to higher fares due to lower availability and increased demand for the service during peak hours. There would also be longer wait times and a general reduction in the number of rides available to users.

Public support for apps and crisis of traditional transportation

A survey in Córdoba showed that 28% of residents choose apps as their main means of transportation,surpassing public transportation. The study was conducted by Zuban Córdoba y Asociados between July 5 and 9 on 400 cases in the Capital department. 24.6% chose public transportation, 22.1% their own car, and 10.2% taxis and remises.

Motorcycles received 10.1% as the preferred means, while bicycles barely reached 4.6%, far behind digital platforms. For the first time, apps surpassed public transportation as the first choice for Córdoba residents when moving around the city. "The fact that apps have overtaken public transportation is something we did not expect to this extent," said consultant Gustavo Córdoba.

"This reflects a migration toward more efficient and personalized alternatives that are changing urban habits in Córdoba and other cities," he added. For Córdoba, this phenomenon is not circumstantial but structural, and it reflects a deep crisis in the traditional transportation system. Apps, he said, "solved what the State can't provide: speed, availability, and traceability."

Youth, the main users of apps

The most frequent users are between 16 and 30 years old, and within that group, 33.2% choose these platforms as their first option. They are followed by adults between 31 and 45 years old, where 26.8% use mobility apps more frequently than any other means. Among those over 60 years old, app usage drops to 18.9% and decreases even further in sectors with less technological access.

By gender, 29.3% of women prefer apps for getting around, while among men that number drops to 26.3%, according to the report. Education also plays a role: 29.9% of those with higher education use apps, compared to only 11.8% among those with elementary education. The differences are also geographic: downtown leads with 36.3%, followed by the north with 30.3%.

"There is a clear generational and socioeconomic gap that defines the use of digital platforms like Uber and similar ones," explained Córdoba. "Younger people, those with higher education, and those living in central areas have adopted these tools en masse," he added. For the consultant, apps reflect "a cultural transformation in the way urban mobility is understood."

Safety and opposition to municipal regulations

59.1% of respondents consider apps the safest way to get around the city, according to the same study. 19% believe that taxis or remises are safe only if requested through digital platforms that allow trip tracking. In total, 78.1% believe traveling with apps is safe, compared to just 9.2% who trust traditional public transportation.

Only 4.5% consider conventional taxis a safe option, indicating a loss of confidence in these historic services. "The traceability offered by apps creates a sense of control and peace of mind that public transportation can't guarantee," said Córdoba. They also valued the ability to share the ride with contacts or report irregularities from their cell phone.

Additionally, 66.3% of those surveyed are against the municipality limiting licenses for apps and only 16.2% support that measure. The rest did not express an opinion, but opposition to the bill is the majority in all age, social, and geographic segments. "The population doesn't want an option that has already become part of their daily life to be restricted," concluded the consultant.

Apps as a source of income and coexistence with taxis

57.8% of Córdoba residents see apps as a valid source of income, especially in sectors suffering from a lack of formal employment. Among adults between 46 and 60 years old, that number rises to 66.7%, while among young people aged 16 to 30 it stands at 63.9%. Even among adults between 31 and 45 years old, support is high, with figures above 60% approval.

Among those over 60 years old, support drops to 32.9%, reflecting greater distrust toward new forms of work and technology. Education level also plays a role: among those with higher education, support is high, while at the elementary level it drops to 47.6%. In the south of the city, 62.6% see apps as a source of income, followed by the west and north with figures close to 60%.

53.9% of those who use apps as a source of income do not own a car, which limits the possibility of joining this system. "Apps are not just a mobility tool, they also represent a concrete job opportunity for thousands of people," said Córdoba. 73.1% of respondents support the coexistence of apps, taxis, and remises, while only 20.6% are opposed.

Uber's campaign to stop the pro-government bill

Uber launched this Friday a campaign to stop the bill that limits the number of vehicles authorized to operate through apps in Córdoba. The initiative includes a signature collection sent to users by email with slogans such as "add your voice and prevent this from happening." According to the company, 4 out of 5 partners would be left out if the ordinance is approved, which would result in more expensive rides and delays.

The message also warns that the regulation doesn't respect the freedom to choose or the time of those who use these apps in their daily lives. The campaign includes the slogan #NoAtrasemosCBA and a petition to join the claim, with an explanatory text about the impact the regulation would have. "It is not enough for this to be Uber's voice, we need those who use the app to be heard," said Juan Labaqui at a press conference.