Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — The Lázaro Cárdenas del Río Taxi Driver’s Union of Playa del Carmen intends to increase their fares. At the start of the New Year, the union will request a rate increase from the Mobility Institute to be more in line with inflation.
Luis Armando Herrera Quian from the union stated that by law, they have until the second quarter of the year to request the rate increase, which they will do, he said, since gasoline, automotive parts and other supplies continue to rise.
He also said that while there are some taxi drivers who abuse the system and take advantage of passengers by overcharging during the holidays, those drivers are punished. However, he also said that double charging during holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, although not authorized, are not controlled and has become a “tradition”.
Quian justified the overcharging by drivers since “it makes up for the fact that these taxi drivers are not with their families at these important events.”
Despite the fact that the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute indicated that overcharging at Christmas is illegal, Playa del Carmen taxi drivers will continue to do so due to a situation of usage and customs.
Herrera Quian asked for an understanding of the operators who, despite the holiday, continue to provide the service.
“It will be very difficult to control it because they are people who sacrifice the night, sacrifice being with the family (…) and they decide to work because maybe they want to take advantage to have a little more income.”