Cancun, Q.R. — Public nighttime transportation has been put on hold once again due to treats. On Wednesday night, Cancun city bus drivers announced a suspension of services due to threats from local taxi drivers.
City public bus service was suspended as of 10:30 p.m. It is the second time in 10 days that city bus drivers have suspended nighttime services due to threats. Julio Villarreal Zapata, president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac), made the report since the suspended service not only affects the public, but also more than 600 restaurant workers.
“Obviously it hits us hard in the restaurant sector because it affects more than 600 workers who use urban transport. We call on the authorities to take urgent measures to resolve this situation since it is affecting those who have the least,” he said.
On October 19, the General Secretary of the City Council, Jorge Carlos Aguilar Osorio, reported on a meeting held between the city’s public transport providers and taxi drivers union.
“Given the report of threats to public transport operators by taxi drivers in Cancun, authorities of the Benito Juárez City Council held talks with representatives of both parties in order to provide a timely solution to the existing problem.”
He said there have been several formal complaints filed with the State Attorney General’s Office by bus drivers being threatened for providing the service until midnight, which he clarified, is the authorized time in their concessions.
He added that this type of action will not be tolerated and must be resolved. He reported that under instructions of Cancun Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta, in a meeting with the leaders of the Taxi Drivers’ Union, it was clarified that the municipal government will take strong measures to ensure order and avoid further damage.
He explained that the City Council also works in coordination with the director of the Mobility Institute of the State of Quintana Roo (IMOVEQROO), Rodrigo Alcazar Urrutia, from whom he has requested “firmness in the actions of the inspectors and to work together to solve the issue.”
The Secretary General commented that if the threats do not cease, the corresponding complaints will be filed in IMOVEQROO before the Secretary of the State Government for the withdrawal of concessions from those who continue to disturb public order, and they could propose to extend the hours of bus service until after midnight.
“There is zero tolerance for this type of disorder. People have to be able to travel with the freedom to choose the public transport they need, which is cheaper and more accessible,” said Aguilar Osorio referring to the cost comparison between buses and taxis.