Kusai Kedri
Press TV, Barcelona Cab drivers in Barcelona shut down traffic over lack of government support days after regional authorities imposed a 10 p.m curfew to limit the spread of the coronavirus. They say they are still waiting for the European Emergency Fund and blame the regional and central governments for not doing enough to help them with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Taxi representatives who met with the regional transportation officials said they came out empty handed after they were told to wait for details of the relief funds and provisions decided by Madrid.

Juan Luque, one the of 10,500 licensed cab drivers in Barcelona says he may have to give up his job as the government's moratorium on loan repayment comes to end and the bank prepares to seize his vehicle for payment default.

Critics say the taxi industry has done little to adapt to the rapidly changing urban mobility as cash strapped riders seek cheaper, safer modes of transportation.

With the night curfew looming, protesters called off their strike but they vowed to return and camp out until their demands are met.

While the long term view is the the taxi industry will eventually recover from the COVID crisis, the question is at what cost and if policy makers and mobility providers can take advantage of the an over congested public transit to offer a cost-effective solution to riders and commuters