Union Admits 20% of Chetumal Taxis Are ‘Junk’ Vehicles

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — At least two out of every ten taxis in Chetumal are considered “junk” vehicles that fail to meet minimum safety and service standards, the head of the local taxi union acknowledged.

Julio César Castilla Zapata, secretary general of the Single Union of Rental Car Drivers (SUCHAA), said economic pressures have prevented many drivers and concession holders from renewing their fleets.

The union currently allows taxis to operate for up to 12 years, leading to significant mechanical wear, aesthetic defects, and shortcomings that affect both comfort and passenger safety, Castilla Zapata explained.

Many vehicles still on the road require constant repairs, and some lack basic features such as functioning air conditioning, adequate seating, proper suspension, or acceptable bodywork, he said.

Vehicle renewal represents a major investment for drivers, especially given rising costs for new cars, parts, fuel, and general maintenance, Castilla Zapata noted.

The situation contradicts Quintana Roo’s Mobility Law, which stipulates that taxis must be no more than five years old. The union leader acknowledged that a large portion of the current fleet does not meet this legal requirement.

Authorities have shown flexibility due to the sector’s economic difficulties, allowing older vehicles to continue operating while owners seek ways to replace them, Castilla Zapata said.

He stressed the need for a gradual modernization process to remove the worst vehicles from circulation and improve service quality for the thousands of people who use taxis daily in the state capital.