Starting this Saturday, a 25% increase in the flag drop and fare for taxis and remises in Córdoba is in effect, as officially announced by the Transportation Secretariat. The increase was justified by permit holders who claim that operating costs have risen considerably. This is happening amid a more competitive market thanks to the emergence of apps that set prices according to supply and demand.
The increase means that passengers will now have to pay more, while users of digital platforms such as Uber enjoy flexible and automatic rates. The fare adjustment was requested by the sector in order "not to fall behind" in the face of inflation. However, for many users, these apps are more affordable and transparent options.
The decision to maintain rigid rates contrasts with the dynamics of apps that adjust according to the flow of drivers and passengers. In this context, taxi and remise drivers have intensified their opposition to the legalization of digital competitors. Their protest revealed the resistance of those who see a threat in services that combine efficiency and economies of scale.
The Municipality of Córdoba, under the administration of the notorious Daniel Passerini, endorsed this rate hike that benefits a historically allied sector. With the 25% increase, state revenue from one of its favorite sources also grows: that of regulated transportation. This decision reinforces the idea that an inefficient model is being protected instead of opening the market to the competition demanded by citizens.
Córdoba drivers vs digital apps
It should be recalled that the Taxi Drivers' Union had already organized marches and blockades pointing out that the apps represent "unfair" competition. Miguel Arias, union leader, stated at that time: "If they're authorized, we cease to exist," seeking to portray themselves as victims. They also reported a 70% drop in revenue per shift due to the drain of users to digital platforms.
Cornered by this trend, drivers are demanding controls against the apps while the TSJ has already authorized their operation in Córdoba. Taxi drivers fear losing income to a service that doesn't suffer the same pressure from fixed costs or municipal regulations. They also fear that the only way to compete will be with even higher rates, which directly impacts the wallets of all Córdoba residents.
Users and the digital market
Travel apps operate according to supply and demand, which allows for fairer, more dynamic, and more transparent prices for users. Meanwhile, the fixed 25% increase in taxis and remises leaves the latter out of step with the evolution of the market. The contrast highlights an absolute divergence between a rigid traditional model and an adaptive digital one.
For many Córdoba residents, the assessment is clear: they prefer to pay competitive prices and request rides without surprises. In this sense, the insistence on maintaining frozen rates by unions sounds more like a protectionist measure than a response to citizens' needs. The impact on urban transportation calls for more comprehensive evaluations of the sector's future, especially in light of the legalization of digital apps.
This is how the new rates stand
