The taxi sector in Oviedo reduces the fleet by a third due to the drop in demand

Oviedo taxi drivers exercised their right to vote and approved to implement a regulation of breaks to adapt the supply of the sector to the precipitous drop in demand, while the state of alarm lasts.

The winning proposal in the vote contemplates that 104 vehicles of the 312 existing in the city are stopped from Monday to Friday, while on weekends only 104 vehicles would work each day.

This measure seeks to make the days more profitable for workers hit by the closure of sectors such as the hospitality industry, which must now be approved by the Department of Public Safety, and, according to Gabino Pérez, president of the Asturian Taxi Federation, could enter into force “this Monday”.

The professionals had to choose between the winning initiative and another alternative that consisted of dividing the 312 taxis into five groups, forcing each group to rest at least one day from Monday to Friday and allowing a maximum of 156 active vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays .

The two majority taxi associations in the city, Asotaxi and the Asturian Taxi Federation, agreed this week the need to adapt the supply of the sector to a demand that has fallen by 60% during daytime hours and 95% at night. since the start of the pandemic last March.

Taxi drivers say they close their long working hours with a ridiculous collection due to the lack of work.

Finally, professionals see in this “temporary” solution a desperate attempt to improve the situation of a sector that has been hard hit for which there is no specific direct aid.