Transport workers in Tulum protest unregulated shared routes

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Transport workers in Tulum staged a protest on Friday to demand that the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute intervene in what they describe as a lack of oversight and regulation on routes shared with transport groups from Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

Manuel Solís, leader of the Caribbean Sharks Union (Sindicato Tiburones del Caribe), said the dispute centers on vehicles from other organizations operating beyond their assigned routes. He said five meetings with union representatives have been held, but no agreement has been reached.

“All we are asking the authorities is to take action, because days, weeks, and months have gone by and nothing has been done,” Solís said.

Solís said the problem is more acute during the current low season. Unions operating the Tulum-Playa del Carmen route have reduced service and introduced breaks between vehicles because of fewer passengers. But those measures are undermined when other groups add extra vehicles and continue to Playa del Carmen, creating excess supply while demand is low.

The protest was meant to restart dialogue, Solís said, adding that drivers have no intention of blocking roads. He said they are willing to travel to Felipe Carrillo Puerto to meet with the leaders involved, provided the Mobility Institute acts as mediator and the routes, number of vehicles, and boarding and alighting points are defined under a legal framework.