Córdoba: taxi drivers protest against ride-hailing apps and reject digital competition

In Córdoba, taxi drivers have intensified their protests against the authorization of transportation apps such as Uber and DiDi. The Taxi Drivers' Union is leading demonstrations in opposition to the recent resolution by the Superior Court of Justice that allows these platforms to operate in the city.

In this regard, in April of this year, the TSJ solved to authorize Uber's operation in the city of Córdoba after rejecting the appeal filed by the Municipality in 2020. It is important to recall, as well, that the city had banned the use of transportation apps last year.

The ruling establishes that vehicles meeting the requirements may operate under the platform, putting an end to years of legal dispute. The measure requires the local government to regulate the service within a specified period.

Resistance to change in traditional transportation and refusal to compete

The protesters argue that these apps represent unfair competition that threatens their economic livelihood. Despite the advantages that transportation apps provide to users, the Córdoba taxi drivers' union continues to resist their implementation.

The union's complaint lies in the lack of controls and regulations in the face of the advance of platforms such as Uber, Didi, and Cabify, which they claim seriously affect traditional transportation activity. "We have always been against illegal apps. But if they authorize them now, as they say, we will simply cease to exist," said Miguel Arias, a union leader.

The protests have caused traffic disruptions and tensions with local authorities. Meanwhile, users are demanding more efficient, safer, and more accessible transportation services, such as those offered by these digital platforms.

Taxis: discretionary funds at the service of municipal power?

After the TSJ ruling, Unión Cívica Radical (UCR) councilman Javier Fabre lashed out against the "negligence" of the City Council and the municipal Executive for failing to regulate in time a mode of transportation that, he asserted, "is already an irreversible reality."

The councilman pointed to the "vested interests" that, in his view, block balanced regulation. In this regard, he stated that "taxi licenses have served as a cash box for politics, just like vehicle registries at the national level. There are sectors that do not want to lose those privileges".

It is important to recall that, in 2024, Daniel Passerini proposed the absurd idea of creating a municipal platform for taxis. Regarding this, the municipality allocated 582 million pesos (1,283,000 USD) to develop an app, and it is still not operational.

From this, it follows that this shameful project was conceived exclusively to try to halt the progress and use of transportation apps. Thus, Passerini once again demonstrated that he governs the city only to protect his profitable political funds.