Cabs are an essential part of urban life in cities around the world and Barcelona is no exception. However, what distinguishes Barcelona’s cabs is their distinctive black and yellow color.
This distinctive feature is immediately recognizable to local residents and visitors alike. But have you ever wondered why they are this color instead of white, like most cities in Spain?
The origin of the black and yellow colors in BCN cabs
The story began in 1920. At that time, the city council made the decision to regulate the cab industry and establish a licensing system for drivers.
As part of this regulation, a color code was implemented for chauffeur-driven vehicles for hire, which varied according to the price per kilometer driven.
In this fare system, the most economical service was represented by vehicles with a white line, followed by those with a red line, then those with a yellow line, and finally, those with a blue line, which were the most expensive cabs of all.
These colors were directly associated with the fares charged to passengers, allowing easy identification of costs for users.
However, in their early days, cabs were not black, but the concept of colored lines was introduced. It was not until 1929 that the true origin of the black color in Barcelona cabs was revealed.
At that time, a strong conflict broke out due to the existing competition between several cab companies offering different fares. It was in this context that the City Council decided to establish a single price for all cabs, and that price corresponded to vehicles with a yellow stripe.
The yellow stripe as a symbol of single fares
The choice of yellow as a single fare symbol was an effective measure to end fare confusion and provide a more consistent experience for passengers.
The yellow color became a hallmark of Barcelona cabs and was implemented as a way to ensure that all trips were priced fairly and uniformly.
But what happened to the color black? In the 1920s. Cabs began to be painted black along with the yellow stripe, creating the iconic combination we know today.
The black color was added to the yellow stripe to give Barcelona cabs a touch of distinction and elegance.
Today, black and yellow cabs are a recognizable symbol on the streets of Barcelona as an essential part of the city’s transportation system.
