Bill would punish late payments in freight transport and tighten VTCVTC Vehicle hire with driver, like rides booked through a cell phone app. It requires an administrative authorization. rules

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would create six new very serious offenses for vehicle hire with driver (VTC): starting services outside their territory, not reporting service data, picking up clients without a prior booking, breaking rules on route, schedules or vehicle signage, and driving without the required documents. Three penalties in two years could lead to revoking the authorization.
2. It would create a new offense for paying road freight transport later than the legal maximum of sixty days. The fine depends on the price of the transport and can reach €30,000 if the delay exceeds 120 days or seriously affects the creditor.
3. Penalty decisions for late payment in road freight transport would be published periodically, as a deterrent, on the website of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda when the State Administration issues them.
4. During the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, school buses could be up to 18 years old in mainland Spain and 20 in the Canary Islands, Illes Balears, Ceuta and Melilla, if they pass the technical inspection and prove they already did that transport, or a vehicle assigned to that authorization is scrapped.
5. Within one year the Government must present a study on freight transport in vehicles under two tons and the impact of new non-specialized operators. The written procedure without an oral hearing before the Transport Arbitration Boards is also extended to 2021 for claims of up to €5,000.
6. Other changes are included: revenue from highway service areas would fund State road maintenance; SENASA's regime and port sanctions are adjusted; the railway penalty regime is softened to protect mobility; and AENA must reduce the guaranteed minimum rent of airport restaurants and shops while passenger numbers stay below 2019 levels.

Who it affects

• VTC companies and their platforms: New very serious offenses, higher fines and possible revocation of their authorization.
• Road freight companies and their clients: Fines for paying later than sixty days and publication of penalties.
• School transport companies: They may use older vehicles for two school years.
• Railway companies: License revocation is limited to cases seriously affecting safety or people's right to travel.
• Restaurants and shops in AENA airports: Mandatory reduction of the guaranteed minimum rent while passenger numbers fall.

Words worth knowing

VTC

Vehicle hire with driver, like rides booked through a cell phone app. It requires an administrative authorization.

Morosidad

Late payment or non-payment within the agreed or legal deadline.

Revocación

Permanent withdrawal of an authorization or license by the Administration.

Juntas Arbitrales del Transporte

Public bodies that quickly resolve claims between users, carriers and intermediaries.

RMAG

Guaranteed Minimum Annual Rent: a fixed amount tenants pay AENA even if their sales are low.

It summarizes the text passed by the Senado. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries