Uber, Cabify drivers block road in Spain to protest new rule

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Drivers working for companies like Uber and Cabify march during a protest in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. Hundreds of black vehicles of app-based ride-hailing services are blocking a central artery in the Spanish capital to protest the government's plan to approve new rules that would limit their operations. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Hundreds of Uber and other drivers are blocking a central artery in Madrid to protest the Spanish government's plan to approve new rules limiting the operations of app-based ride-hailing services.

The drivers, who work for companies including Uber and Cabify, brought traffic in the capital's Paseo de la Castellana to a standstill Thursday as they moved slowly toward the entrance to the Development Ministry.

They plan to repeat their protest on Friday, when the government is expected to pass a decree giving local governments the power to limit licenses for the ride-hailing services.

On Wednesday, the companies offered free rides in several Spanish cities. The move furthered angered taxi driver unions, which have been demanding a ratio of one ride-hailing car to 30 public taxis.