Driver to Appear in Court on 12 November

A Cabify driver is due to stand trial at the Provincial Court of Barcelona on Thursday 12th November 2026, accused of sexually assaulting a passenger who was heavily intoxicated. The case centres on events alleged to have occurred in the early hours of 9th June 2024, when the woman was picked up on Carrer Balmes after her friends booked the ride to help her get home safely. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the passenger was in a state of alcohol intoxication that rendered her unable to give valid sexual consent. The indictment states that during the journey, the driver cancelled the service and suggested going to his private residence, which she agreed to. Once there, he allegedly took advantage of her vulnerability and attempted vaginal penetration.

Passenger Alerted Emergency Services

Three hours after arriving at the residence, the woman became aware of what had occurred and left the property before contacting emergency services. The trial will assess the evidence and determine whether the accused is criminally liable.

The prosecution maintains that the driver exploited the passenger's incapacitated state.

Safety Concerns for Women Using Ride-Hailing Services

The case has reignited public discussion about the safety of women using private transport services, particularly at night. Marta Murrià, head of the Coexistence and Urban Security area at research centre Institut Metròpoli, noted that the risk in such services does not come from the surrounding environment or other passengers, but from the driver in a private, unshared space. A 2020 survey by the Institut d’Estudis Regionals i Metropolitans de Barcelona found that 57% of regular female public transport users had experienced some form of harassment in the two years prior. While incidents are less frequently reported among users of taxis and VTCs (private hire vehicles), the nature of the risk differs significantly.

"The perception of insecurity is complex and multidimensional, but for women, fear of harassment or sexual violence is a key factor," said Murrià.

Some passengers use safety measures such as sharing real-time location, sending the vehicle’s registration number to a trusted contact, or confirming safe arrival via message. Cabify and other VTC platforms have integrated safety features like emergency buttons and driver identification in their apps.

Sources: Barna Diario, Crónica Global, todotaxi.org.