Andorra Launches Unified Taxi App 'Taxi Andorra' on April 1
Government unites taxi associations to improve service coordination amid rising demand, with new regulations set to expand fleet and regulate VTC competition.
Key Points
- Andorra launches 'Taxi Andorra' app on April 1 to unify taxi associations and improve coordination.
- Government facilitates unity between ATA and ATI amid rising demand.
- New regulations to expand taxi fleet from 60 to 120 vehicles and regulate VTC competition.
- App developed by Andorran firm with Barcelona support, managed by association leaders.
Andorra's unified taxi dispatch platform, the Centraleta de Reserves de Taxis (CRT) or "Taxi Andorra" app, is set to launch on 1 April following its presentation on Thursday.
State Secretary for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility David Forné confirmed the timeline during recent statements, noting that the government has played a facilitative role in uniting the two main taxi associations—Associació de Taxistes d’Andorra (ATA) and Associació de Taxistes Interurbans (ATI)—to improve service coordination. Developed by an Andorran firm with technical support from Barcelona, the app aims to handle rising demand more efficiently. Association leaders will manage operations directly, with Forné expressing confidence in a smooth rollout.
Forné described the taxi sector as "intense" but voiced satisfaction over the agreement, highlighting its role as an essential public service linked to longstanding Andorran families. "The government is always on the side of this public service," he said, adding that efforts across the legislative term have focused on fostering unity.
A new regulation, due in coming weeks, will set limits on taxi licences and drivers based on population ratios to match standards in neighbouring countries, where Andorra currently lags. The existing 60 licences will permit a second vehicle each, potentially expanding the fleet to 120. VTC services, including Uber and CityXerpa but excluding international transfers, are projected at around 50 vehicles. Forné stressed plans to preserve this balance while introducing clear rules for fair competition, with VTC regulations activating alongside the dispatch centre.
The government has stepped back from internal association matters, such as recent expulsions of drivers working for Uber and historical rivalries. "Those are issues for the associations and their statutes. We have provided maximum facilitation, and I believe the sector appreciates it," Forné stated.
Association presidents have previously admitted past service shortfalls and welcomed the app as a modernisation step. They anticipate a 30% demand surge, positioning it as "21st-century taxis" and drawing on CityXerpa's VTC experience for user-friendly features. The changes respond in part to competitive pressures from Uber's arrival, prompting the associations to set aside differences.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- ARA•
Centraleta única del taxi a partir de l'1 d'abril
- Bon Dia•
La centraleta única dels taxis, operativa a partir de l'1 d'abril
- Altaveu•
La centraleta única per als taxis es posa en marxa l'1 d'abril
- Diari d'Andorra•
Forné anuncia que la centraleta única de taxis començarà a operar dimecres
- El Periòdic•
Forné anuncia que la centraleta única del taxi es farà realitat amb la seva entrada en funcionament l’1 d’abril