The morning of November 4 in Valencia began with unusually heavy traffic: thousands of taxi drivers took to the streets to protest against the policies of the regional authorities. From dawn, the city was gripped by congestion, with regular routes blocked or altered. Organizers had warned in advance about extensive restrictions, but for many residents and visitors, the situation turned into a real ordeal.
Two large columns of taxis set off simultaneously from different neighborhoods: one from the intersection of Avenida de Cataluña and Tarongers Street, the other from the Cortes Valencianas area. By 8:30 a.m., both processions moved toward the city center, gradually merging into one massive traffic jam. The focal point of the route was Plaza de España, where a sizable crowd of participants gathered by mid-morning.
The route of the protesters continued along the city’s main arteries: San Vicente Mártir, Periodista Azzati, Marqués de Sotelo, Xàtiva, Guillem de Castro, and Avenida del Cid. The final stop was the 9 d’Octubre administrative zone, home to the regional Ministry of Infrastructure. Here, participants planned to remain until 2:00 p.m. to make sure their demands were heard.
Traffic restrictions and advice for residents
City authorities issued an early warning: traffic on main roads, including exits from the CV-35 and V-21 highways, would be severely disrupted. Drivers were advised to avoid using private vehicles and opt for public transport to prevent hours-long delays. Special traffic control measures were deployed to minimize the impact, but total gridlock could not be avoided.
Special attention was given to key locations: Manises airport, the Joaquín Sorolla and Estación del Norte train stations, as well as the main bus terminal. Information teams were stationed here to alert passengers about temporary route changes and possible delays. According to municipal estimates, normal traffic was expected to resume only by midday.
Reasons for the protest and industry demands
The main aim of the demonstration is to press for stricter controls on illegal transport services and tougher inspections of VTC operators. Union representatives say taxi drivers are running out of patience: they demand fair competition and effective measures to tackle unfair market practices. On this day, official petitions with concrete proposals for change were submitted to City Hall and the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Regional authorities, in turn, insist that oversight of VTC operations has become stricter and that dialogue with the industry is ongoing. However, taxi representatives believe these measures are insufficient and are prepared for further action if their demands are not met.
Impact on the city and tourist infrastructure
The mass demonstration affected not only the business district but also popular tourist areas—from Las Arenas beach to the promenade. Morning traffic jams and road closures made it difficult for both locals and visitors to get around. Authorities strongly advised residents and tourists to plan their routes in advance and monitor traffic updates.
On this day, Valencia found itself at the center of a transportation meltdown, and the issue of fair conditions for taxis and VTC was once again among the most hotly debated topics in the region.
