Porteadores Collapse Major Routes
As promised, the "Porteadores" (private or informal taxis) blocked the streets around San José and converged onto the Legislative Assembly to make their demands heard. Some highways and major thoroughfares were completely blocked, while on other routes, one lane of traffic, in either direction was allowed to move.

The Porteadores - operators of public transport to customers from door-to-door, also known as the "porteo" - want their services legalized once and for all and end the conflict they have with the formal taxi operators.

Porteadores are different that "piratas".

Piratas operate like the formal taxis, picking up customers on the side of the road and often charging less than the formal taxis. Porteadores on the other hand, provide door-to-door services to their customers, many using taximeters like the formal taxis and are united with the Cámara de Porteadores, who set out guidelines for their operation.

The porteo is not illegal, but neither is it legal. And that is where the controversy between the Porteadores, the government and formal taxis, lies.

Yesterday, in protest,  a group of Porteadores slowed traffic in the area of the Juan Santamaría (San José) International airport, though the congestion did not cause people missing their flights or disruption to airport operations.

Yet, another group gathered strength along the Circunvalación, especially east of the Paso Ancho rotonda, to the Desamparados overpass, where traffic was intermittently completed choked off.

The Ministra de Obras Públicas y Transportes (transport minister), Karla González, said that Tránsito (traffic) officials would not be issuing fines to the Porteadores blocking or slowing down traffic, as it served no purpose.

Another group gathered outside the Legislative Assembly in downtown San José, making their voice heard to legislators inside the building. At one point, a group of Porteadores blocked the exit from the Legislatures parking lots, not allowing legislators to leave the building.

With the words of former Ombudsman and now legislator, José Manuel Echandi, the parking lot blockaded was cleared without any conflict or need for police intervention.

Late in the day and into the evening, a group of Porteadores decided to camp out in the area of the Legislative Assembly, as the area surrounding was completely closed to vehicular traffic, and remained there until the small hours of the morning The group was waiting on the results of a meeting between the transport minister, legislators and other government leaders.

Víctor Salazar, vice-president of the Cámara de Porteadores, said that the Porteo is a service that will never go away due to the lack of job opportunities in the country.

"All we want is the respect of the Tránsito authorities, from Doña Karla and the members of the Legislature; we are humble workers who earn our daily bread and that is enough to warrant the respect", said Salazar.

On the other hand, the formal taxis support the elimination of the porteo and expect a government decision soon. Alexis Retana, speaking for independent taxi drivers, the informal taxi business (the porteo) is taking to the edge of bankruptcy and is calling on the government to put an end once and for all to the porteo.

Late last night, the transport minister, announced that a commission would be formed to deal with the demands of the Porteadores.

The president of the legislature, Francisco Antonio Pacheco, confirmed that the demands by the Porteadores will be send to a Comisión de Jurídicos. Such commission is to be announced tomorrow (Thursday), Pacheco added.

Ricardo Vives, representing the Porteadores, said that they working people and have the right to work. Vives added that there may be further protests if their demands aren't met.