Furious Taxi Drivers Clash Over Tourist Business in Cozumel

Taxi drivers from the Adolfo López Mateos Union in Cozumel are expressing dissatisfaction with a new transportation service. This service, which uses federally licensed vehicles, offers to transport tourists from their hotels to the island's international airport. The taxi drivers argue that these vehicles should not be providing this service, and maintain that these vans, despite having federal permission to operate on the island, are not authorized to operate outside of the airport and federal precincts.

To voice their concerns, the taxi drivers held a peaceful demonstration last weekend along the seafront and up to the municipal palace. They called on the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama Espinosa, to regulate these services, under the banner of "nothing outside the Law". They accuse the new service, which operates online, of stealing their customers, thereby harming the livelihoods of the taxi drivers and their families. The union has over 2,500 members, only about 800 of whom own their own taxis, with the rest being drivers.

Arturo Payán Tejero, leader of the Cozumel taxi drivers, explained that the main issue is the loss of business when tourists choose the new service over traditional taxis. He claims to have the necessary documentation and evidence to present this case to the Federation and have the licenses of the new service revoked. He argued that the new service should only operate within federal areas. This could potentially allow these vehicles to enter the cruise docks, which are within federal jurisdiction, and where the taxi union members currently cannot operate.

Payán Tejero warned that if the authorities do not take their concerns seriously, he will be powerless to prevent the union members from taking action. In the past, these actions have included directly blocking vehicles with federal plates, even when they have passengers on board, which negatively impacts the image of the destination. The taxi drivers have also protested against motorcycle taxi drivers, who provide transportation services to the local population. In both cases, the taxi drivers believe they should be the sole providers of transportation services on the island.