Taxi Strike Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Wednesday, taxi drivers and "porteadores" (informal taxi
drivers) will square off on the streets of San Jose, as taxi drivers
have called a day of protest, which for certain is expected to cause
all kinds of traffic jams.
The majority of taxi drivers or "fuerza roja" in Costa Rica are
expected to participate in the "paro nacional" - national strike -
in an attempt to force legislators into approving a law that has
already been drafted, that will once and for all solve the problem
of the informal taxis or "piratas".
Although the taxi drivers recognize that the government has
supported them in their efforts solving the informal taxi problem,
by issuing executive orders forcing the informal taxis to place
signs on their vehicles, using radios and having contracts with
their customers, the taxi drivers are complaining on the lack of
enforcement on the part of the Policía de Tránsito.
The taxi drivers union, the Foro Nacional de Taxistas, says it
cannot believe that it takes three years of debate in the
legislature and still no results.
To counteract the claims by the taxi drivers, porteadores from all
around the country are expected to descend on the capital to show
their solidarity against the "fuerza roja" (red force).
Authorities fear a clash between taxi drivers and porteadores could
escalate into violence.
"We can only ask God that nothing happens, we will try to be as
responsible as possible, as the mood is heated", said Germán Lobo,
representing the Frente de Lucha por la Defensa del Porteador.
Bus drivers affiliated with the Foro Nacional de Transporte have yet
to say if they will join the taxi drivers in the strike, who say
they too are affected by the porteadores.
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) has said it
will not tolerate roadblocks and violence from the strike action and
will take steps to ensure that there is order in the streets.
In the past, taxi drivers have taken to blocking or slowing down
traffic on major arteries in the capital and around the country. The
MOPT minister, Karla González, assures that her officials will be
out to ensure a smooth traffic flow. |
|
|
|
|
|
