The silent oligopoly of VTCs in Madrid

Published on May 31, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

Moove Cars, Auro, and Vecttor control 60% of VTC licenses in Madrid, a business far removed from the apps you use daily. These licenses, costing up to 180,000 euros, enable massive, immediate service. The result: trip prices and availability depend on large corporations, not small independent operators. Urban transport is dictated by a handful of groups.

Madrid urban street scene at night, three large black VTC vehicles (Mercedes V-Class) parked in a row occupying an entire block, glowing corporate logos on doors partially obscured by shadows, a small white taxi driver looking at a smartphone showing surge pricing graph while standing next to his empty cab, background showing skyscrapers with financial district lights, foreground showing a broken license plate with 180,000 euro price tag fragment on asphalt, cinematic photorealistic style, dramatic contrast between luxury vehicles and isolated taxi, cold blue street lighting, ultra-detailed car reflections on wet pavement, wide-angle lens emphasizing power imbalance, hyperrealistic technical visualization

The centralized algorithm that moves the fleet 🤖

The technology behind these massive fleets is based on centralized assignment systems. Proprietary platforms manage demand in real time, optimizing routes and minimizing wait times. Unlike open apps, these systems prioritize corporate vehicles over independent operators. The software controls everything from geolocation to dynamic pricing, eliminating individual competition. It is a digital infrastructure designed to scale, not to compete.

The free market that only fits in three garages 🍺

So, dear citizen, if you thought choosing between Uber and Cabify was freedom, think again. Behind the curtain, three companies decide whether you arrive late for work or pay an arm and a leg for a 10-minute trip. It's like having, instead of several bars to grab a beer, only three mega-chains that set the price of a bottle. Sure, competition is fierce... among the owners of the three garages.