Porteadores Will Protest On Same Day As Taxis
The May 15 taxi strike may become a day of confrontation as the porteadores will also use that day for protest.

That is the word from the Frente de Lucha por los Derechos del Porteador - the association grouping the informal taxis - who say they are not looking for a confrontation with the formal taxis, but will not sit idle waiting to be pulled out of the market.

"For every red taxi out there, we will have two porteadores", said Germán Lobo.

The porteadores, like the formal taxis, will be out in the capital (San José) and in the provinces at the same time the taxi will bt out.

The porteadores are protesting the efforts of the taxis who are pressuring the government to eliminate the porteo - the door to door service, which is permitted under the Código de Comercio (commercial code).

The taxi drivers say that a majority of the piratas (illegal taxis) operate under the guise of porteador, but in fact are picking up fares and unfairly competing with them, as the piratas don't have to pay the fees associated with operating a legal taxi.

The poretadores defend their right to operate an informal taxi service, many uniting as they provide service to communities that few taxis operate. They distinguish themselves apart from the piratas, by providing service to customers door-to-door and not picking up fares on public roads.

"We do not want any confrontation but will not say no if they (the taxis) provoke us", said Manuel Fonseca.

The porteadores also complain that the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) favours the taxis and regularly issue directives to the Tránsito officials (traffic police) that they persecute them.

"If they want a fight, here we are, we need to earn our beans and rice for our families", said Érick Chavarría speaking for many of the porteadores who will be out to protest.