No more taxis: how Barcelona’s last cost-cutting measure affects La Masia

Barcelona have officially ended their taxi service for youth team players to make their way to and form Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, the club’s training ground and academy base, from all over Catalonia. For the last 25 years, boys and girls in the Blaugrana academy have been able to make the trip from door to door, without being forced to move to the city. Former midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who hails from Arenys de Mar (around 40 miles away), was one player who took advantage of the service.

Barça TV cancelled, financial levers pulled

Barça’s financial issues have, of course, been well documented and this is the latest in a long line of measures that the club has deployed in an attempt to cut costs. In April, the Catalans made the decision to discontinue their dedicated television channel Barça TV, which is thought to have cost them around €14 million ($15.3 million) per season to run. Over 100 people were laid off as a result.

They have, of course, famously also pulled a number of “financial levers”, selling off assets and parts of assets to keep the club going, while attempting to pay a huge wage bill and still strengthen the playing squad.

Barça buses to replace Catalonia taxi service

The cancellation of the taxi service will, of course, be a significant inconvenience to the players - and families - affected, for some of whom it may have been a deciding factor on whether to join the Barcelona academy.

Five bus routes that will stop at different pick-up points around Catalonia will now be introduced. Youngsters travel as far as Tarrgaona (60 miles), Girona (70 miles) to train with and play for Barça.