Chetumal taxi fares double during New Year’s, angering workers

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Numerous citizens are angry and upset about the improper increase in fares for taxi services provided by drivers affiliated with the Single Union of Rental Car Drivers (SUCHHA) during December 31 and January 1, despite not having approval from Julio César Castilla Zapato, head of the aforementioned union.

It emerged that the fare doubled in price, a fact that primarily affected people who strictly had to work during those days, as well as residents of neighborhoods and communities located on the outskirts of the city.

The main affected parties were residents of the Flamingos I, II, III and IV neighborhoods, Pacto Obrero, Américas III, Antorchistas and Calderitas. The aggrieved parties mentioned that, without combi service available, they were forced to spend up to 200 pesos just for round trips to their respective workplaces.

Among those affected are workers from supermarkets and locations in the city’s 4 local markets. Sailé Puchero, a resident of Calderitas, pointed out that from the aforementioned locality to Calzada Veracruz they ended up charging him a total of 100 pesos, an amount that previously was only 45 pesos.

Likewise, José Jacobo noted that this has become a custom that taxi drivers have adopted for several years and that the corresponding authorities have not resolved despite the warnings they issue.

For her part, Martha Elena Hernández stated that it is not about greed, but about lack of money, since many of the people who worked those days did so out of necessity. She also emphasized that not everyone uses taxis to attend social gatherings, but for real emergencies: “And if I have to go to the hospital or have some emergency and don’t have money to pay such an amount, what should be done in this case? Those who say that those who can’t pay are stingy are lying, we don’t have money to spare like you do.”

Meanwhile, Ángel Balam said: “They are abusive, the truth is only because there’s no other option, many of us worked today and out of necessity we use them. Many greedy taxi drivers since yesterday afternoon were already overcharging, oh, but the season will come when they need passengers.”