Chetumal, Q.R. — At least two Chetumal taxi drivers are in the process of having their licenses revoked after an attack against a public bus. The incident happened yesterday outside the city’s Plaza Las Americas mall.
The driver of the bus and his passengers managed to get away after being attacked by a group of city taxi drivers for picking up passengers near the mall. The angry mob of men were videoed by a passenger attempting to rush the bus driver with a stick.
The 15-second video shows one of the taxi drivers, in a white t-shirt, look for and locate a long branch that he then hands to another man, also a taxi driver in a white t-shirt, as they both run toward the open door of the bus.
At that moment, the driver of the bus closes the door as the man with the stick tries to get on the bus. The closing of the door caused to man to bouch off the glass and fall to the sidewalk. He is then videod getting back up at which time both taxi drivers in white t-shirts are seen chasing the bus.
On Thursday, state authorities said the involved taxi drivers in the Wednesday incident will have their concessions and licenses revoked.
“In light of the recent acts of violence against a bus of the El Mayab line and its passengers which occurred at the Plaza Las Américas bus stop in Chetumal, the Mobility Institute of the State of Quintana Roo (Imoveqroo) has initiated an administrative procedure to revoke the concessions and licenses of the taxi drivers involved,” the agency reported in an official statement.
These incidents, which put the safety of public transport users at risk are unacceptable, said Rodrigo Alcazar Urrutia, the General Director Imoveqroo.
“Upon learning of the facts, we have initiated the corresponding investigations to identify those responsible and apply the sanctions established in the Mobility Law of the State of Quintana Roo.
“Concessions will be revoked and licenses will be cancelled based on articles 122, section XV, 176, section V, 198, section III, subsection c), 199, 200, 201 and 202 of the Mobility Law.
“We have initiated administrative procedures to reorganize this bus stop at Plaza Las Américas to ensure access for all public and private transportation vehicles without distinction,” Alcazar Urrutia said.
Earlier this week, several Cancun taxi drivers were videoed physically attacking a male citizen. A reason for the attack is not known. Last week, a Cancun taxi driver was videoed speeding down a main city avenue with a man on the hood of his cab after a traffic altercation.
Imoveqroo has begun an investigation into both cases, which they reported, will also lead to the cancellation of the concession and licenses of those involved.