Andorra Taxi Associations Launch Unified National Dispatch Centre

Leaders from Andorra's taxi associations and City Sherpa signed an agreement on Monday at the Grand Plaza hotel to establish a single national taxi dispatch centre, fully staffed and operated locally around the clock, along with the multilingual TaxiAndorra app for reservations, vehicle tracking, advance bookings, and pre-calculated payments. The project, now entering its execution phase, aims for full rollout by the 31 March deadline set by the State Secretariat of Transport.

Víctor Ambor, president of the Andorran Taxi Association (ATA), Armand Godoy, president of the Interurban Taxi Association (ATI), and Bernat Altimir, CEO of City Sherpa, presented the deal during a press conference. City Sherpa will lead as the primary technology partner, with Taxitrònic and TaxiMés continuing as collaborators. The agreement, developed over months and predating Uber's arrival—which Godoy called a turning point—now requires ratification by approximately 70 affected companies to comply with government mandates for a unified centre.

Altimir outlined five key components, backed by significant City Sherpa investment that exceeds the €140 monthly contributions from taxi firms. These include a 24/7 Andorran call centre for rapid response; the TaxiAndorra app, integrated into the City Sherpa platform used by thousands and over 600 businesses; additional booking channels such as WhatsApp and a three-digit short code for location sharing; and advanced algorithms for optimal vehicle assignment, to be refined by drivers. Traditional meters will remain in use unless regulations change, preserving cash and standard payment options. Pricing details, including potential fixed fares by distance, are still under review and subject to government and sector approval.

The initiative is expected to boost demand by around 30% through greater efficiency, reduced empty runs, and enhanced user experience. Ambor stressed avoiding wasted services to provide the best possible offerings, while Godoy noted it unites 70 firms with tools ensuring broad inclusion, adding that the sector should have modernized years earlier. City Sherpa will prioritize taxis on national routes over its reduced VTC fleet, targeted at premium clients with prices up to 50% higher.

A spontaneous intervention by a taxi driver highlighted lingering sector divisions, raising concerns about exclusions—particularly for the few working with Uber—and strict entry conditions. Godoy responded that a single basic requirement protects the group, affecting only four or five holdouts, with associations committed to minimal terms leaving no one behind. Altimir and the presidents reaffirmed an inclusive approach, directing any issues to association representatives.

Participants thanked government support but urged swift delivery of draft road transport regulations (TOI) and potential transport law updates. The call centre will launch first for public testing.