The Supreme Court considers it disproportionate for VTC vehicles to submit a price list to the public administration
The Spanish Supreme Court ruled that requiring VTC vehicles to submit price lists to the government is excessive and impacts fair competition.
The Spanish Supreme Court has declared that the obligation for VTC (transportation vehicles with driver) operators, such as Uber, Cabify, and Bolt, to send their price lists to public administration is disproportionate and violates the principles of free competition. This ruling comes from a case initiated by the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) against a regulation imposed by the Region of Murcia in 2021. The court highlighted that users are already aware of the pricing before engaging the service, suggesting that the price list requirement was unnecessary.
The ruling could significantly impact how ride-share companies operate in Spain, as it reaffirms the idea that consumers have the right to be informed irrespective of regulatory restrictions. This decision emphasizes that existing transparency mechanisms, where users view fares prior to booking, are adequate to protect consumer rights without further governmental intervention.
This case represents a broader discussion on regulation of ride-sharing services in Spain and reflects ongoing tensions between traditional taxi services and VTC companies. The Supreme Court's decision may signal to other regions and authorities that overly strict regulations could face legal challenges, changing the landscape for transport service regulation going forward.