Spanish taxis refused to pick up passengers in a one-day strike Wednesday against the increase in cars run by private companies offering cheaper, mobile ride-hailing services. The near nation-wide stoppage, directed against the San Francisco-headquartered Uber and Madrid-based Cabify services, was called after a court recently allowed new licenses for these firms. Unions say a law stipulating that there should be one private cab for every 30 taxis is being flouted. The strike left empty the normally packed taxi ranks at airports and train stations. They said they would provide free services for the elderly, pregnant women and people with physical mobility problems during Wednesday's stoppage.

Source: ABC News November 29, 2017 09:33 UTC