Taxi drivers blocked Avenida Central in downtown Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, to demand that authorities clarify the operation of ride-hailing platforms in the city.
The demonstration was led by members of the Fidel Velázquez union, who gathered at a major intersection, causing traffic disruptions for several hours.
According to the drivers themselves, the protest stemmed from the lack of agreement on regulating the service provided by private vehicles through mobile applications. They stated that, to date, there is no clear position on whether these vehicles will continue operating and under what conditions.
During the blockade, the protesters indicated that they have held meetings with transportation authorities without achieving any results. They also mentioned that the meetings have been rescheduled on several occasions and that no concrete measures have been implemented on the issue.
The taxi drivers pointed out that more than 20,000 private vehicles operate in the city providing service through these platforms, which, they assert, has negatively impacted their business. In that context, they requested clarification on whether these vehicles would be impounded or subject to some form of regulation.
They also referenced the application of the state’s current Mobility and Transportation Law, noting that no visible operations have been implemented against vehicles that, they indicated, are operating without meeting requirements such as permits, local license plates, or documentation for public transportation.
During the protest, the drivers apologized to the public for the traffic disruptions, but stated that they would continue their demonstrations if they did not receive a response.
The blockade caused congestion on 1st Avenue South and 2nd Avenue North, as well as other surrounding streets in downtown Tuxtla Gutiérrez, while traffic officers implemented detours to clear the flow of traffic on other roads. As of now, no agreements have been reported following the demonstration.
Source: oem
