Strikes · minimum services · plan B
Metro, train or taxi strike during MWC: plan B
Strikes have been called during the congress before. This page tells you what happened, what minimum services looked like and how to keep a team moving, without drama.
MWC Barcelona 2027 · 1–4 March · Fira Gran Via
125days03hours11min
Until 08:30 on the first day, the opening time of the last published edition. Dates: organiser’s website
- Licensed drivers
- Insurance included
- Invoice in your name
- GPS tracking
- Fixed price
What happened before
Past editions
In 2016, metro workers struck on 22 and 24 February and bus drivers on 23 and 25 February, in the middle of the congress. Minimum services were set at 50 % at peak hours and 30 % off-peak, and the organiser ran shuttle buses from hotels, according to the press and the organiser’s own contingency plan.
In 2019 there were metro stoppages over asbestos during the congress. On the first day, about half the trains ran at peak hours, with delays of up to 14 minutes; minimum services were raised for the second day. A month earlier, in January 2019, taxi drivers had struck against VTC services before the congress.
What changes on the road
When the metro runs at half
With fewer trains, more people take to the road and the morning traffic to Gran Via grows. Taxis and pre-booked vehicles are in demand at the same hours. A pre-booked vehicle does not depend on the metro or on the rank; it does depend on the roads, which is why we watch the live traffic panel on this page.
VTC services in Catalonia have to be booked in advance. If a strike is announced, book the legs you cannot miss early and keep the metro for the rest.
How we tell you
Live notices on this website
There is no structured feed for strikes. When a strike affecting the congress is called, our office publishes a notice at the top of this page and the home page, with the source. Rodalies notices for the R2 lines and road incidents appear automatically in the live panel.
For delegations and companies
Ask for a written proposal
Send the dates, the number of people, the flights, the hotels and your billing details. We reply with one fixed quote for the whole week that you can approve internally before anyone travels. Nothing is stored on this website: the template opens in your own email or WhatsApp.
Company: Contact name: Dates (build-up / congress / departures): Number of people: Arrival flights and times: Departure flights and times: Hotels: Dinners or evening events: Service needed (transfers / car with driver by the hour / daily runs): Billing details (company name, VAT number, PO): Notes:
Sources for this page
- Metro strike during MWC 2016: The Local, 22 February 2016
- Strikes during MWC 2016: eldiario.es
- GSMA transport contingency plan, 21 February 2016 (PDF)
- Metro stoppages during MWC 2019: Vozpópuli
- Second day of the metro strike, MWC 2019: betevé
- Taxi strikes against VTC, January 2019: TechCrunch
- Catalan decree-law 4/2019 on VTC pre-booking: El Español, 29 January 2019
- Live Rodalies notices: Renfe GTFS-RT open data
- Live traffic incidents: Servei Català de Trànsit open data
Frequently asked questions
Is a strike announced for MWC 2027?
Not as of today. If one is called, the notice appears at the top of this page with its source.
What are minimum services?
The share of trains or buses that must keep running during a strike, set by the authorities. In 2016 they were 50 % at peak hours and 30 % off-peak.
Will you raise prices if there is a strike?
The price is the one our engine gives when you book, and it does not change afterwards. Demand can make later bookings more expensive, so book the essential legs early.
Would you rather talk to a person?
We answer 24 hours a day, every day, in English, Spanish, French and Catalan.