Spain plans to make green taxis

MADRID is ushering in a raft of new regulations to make their taxis green.

The city hall wants to create an environmentally friendly service with exclusive pick-up points for so-called ecotaxis as part of an effort to reduce pollution in the capital.

New emissions levels will be restricted and vehicles cannot be more than two years old when they apply for licences and will not be allowed to circulate after 10 years.

For the first time, taxis will also be able to post pre-approved advertisements in their cabs. Fixed rates will be established between the airport and different points throughout Madrid.

But the plans to open the sector have seen strong opposition from taxi drivers.

Several thousand marched through Madrid, blocking the street for more than four hours.