Quintana Roo’s Mobility Institute disavowed the new fare schedule circulated by the Tiburones del Caribe taxi union in Tulum, which increased charges throughout the area. Amid constant complaints from local users and tourists about arbitrary fares, the state authority announced that it will implement mandatory taximeters in the municipality and extend the measure to Cancún.
In the midst of the economic crisis facing Tulum, the Tiburones del Caribe taxi union published a fare schedule that divides the municipality into 24 zones, with a maximum fare of 300 pesos. However, the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (IMOVEQROO) maintained that the document is not authorized and announced that it will implement taximeters to make the service more transparent and curb abuses.
Last Thursday, September 3, the union shared this fare schedule on social media. It covers the area from downtown to the Rosa Negra restaurant, along the Tulum-Boca Paila highway, passing through the archaeological zone, the Coastal Road, and Mirador. This represents six more zones than in 2019, the year in which the last official document approved by IMOVEQROO was published.
Users pointed out that, while the official fare schedule establishes a minimum cost of 31 pesos, the one published by the union starts at 50 pesos. In addition, the addition of these six zones doubles and even triples fares on some routes, with prices increasing from 31 to 100 pesos.
Local media report that in the case of La Veleta 3, there is an increase of up to 222.6%, while the route to the archaeological zone increased from 49 to 90 pesos.
Taxi Drivers Seek to Validate Fares With Their Own App
Union leader Manuel Solís Alcocer explained that the measure is intended to standardize fares and assured that all vehicles carry a fare schedule. He acknowledged that this charge “is not new,” since it was already being applied informally, but said that areas not covered by the previous fare schedule are now being specified.
“The most precise thing will be to launch our own application, ‘Shark,’ which will give users greater certainty. It’s going to be very good,” the union leader said.
Authorities Will Regulate Excessive Charges
For his part, IMOVEQROO head Rafael Hernández Kotasek said that the definitive solution will be the installation of taximeters to provide passengers with confidence. He explained that, although the union’s request regarding the need to adjust fares has been heard, there are also arbitrary charges in specific areas that disproportionately benefit certain concession holders.
“I spoke with the union: we are going to install taximeters. Those who were not making enough may be able to make enough; but someone traveling two kilometers to the coastal area cannot be charged 800 pesos,” Hernández Kotasek stated.
The official reiterated that the fare schedule announced by the union lacks official authorization and that the goal is to guarantee certainty about the fare before passengers board the vehicle, regardless of the shift, holiday, or weekend.
Finally, he announced that the measure involving taximeters will be extended to other municipalities such as Benito Juárez (Cancún), where abuses involving fares charged by drivers are constant.
Source: grupoanimal
