The public transportation sector in Tulum is experiencing one of its worst crises in years, stemming from the drastic decline in tourism to the destination, which has directly affected hundreds of drivers and their families. This was announced by Moisés Pool Quijano, general secretary of the National Union of Transporters for Change (UNTRAC) Section II.
According to the leader, the number of passengers traveling from Playa del Carmen to Tulum has decreased alarmingly. While during peak tourist periods, around 70,000 people were registered per day, the current average is barely 30,000. During the most recent peak season, the number had already dropped to 35,000.
“We are experiencing a prolonged recession. Normally, August and September see a 10 to 15 percent drop, but today we are talking about a drop of more than 50 percent in operations,” said Pool Quijano.
Faced with this difficult situation, transporters have implemented emergency measures to keep their services afloat. To this end, meetings have been held between concessionaires and van owners serving the Tulum–Playa del Carmen route, with the aim of finding alternatives to weather the crisis.
Among the agreed-upon measures, he highlighted the reduction in the daily fees drivers must pay to concessionaires, as well as a decrease in the rental cost of concessioned units. These measures seek to alleviate the economic pressure on operators, who have seen their income reduced considerably.
Even so, the outlook remains uncertain. Pool Quijano warned that if the flow of tourists continues to decline, they may be forced to temporarily suspend part of the transportation service.
“We do not rule out halting part of the transportation service if this continues, but any decision must be made in coordination with the unions ‘Tiburones del Caribe’, ‘Lázaro Cárdenas del Río’, and ‘Hoólil Untrac Section XIII’,” the leader stated.
The collapse of tourism has not only affected transportation but also the hotel sector. Recent data indicates that, while occupancy reached 77.7 percent in May 2025, in recent weeks it has fallen to 30 percent in the coastal area and barely 15 percent in the center of the municipality.
This drop in tourist demand is worrying both business owners and workers, who fear that if the trend continues, the local economy will enter a deeper crisis. For now, transportation groups are seeking to sustain their operations, hoping that the upcoming high season will bring some relief to the sector.
Source: quintafuerza
