In rejection of the circulation of private vehicles that provide collective public transportation service through digital platforms, Dozens of taxi drivers decided this Tuesday to go out to protest by blocking roads and suspending their activity in Barranquilla and its metropolitan area.
From 5 in the morning they began to concentrate on different sectors like this:
- Carrera 38 with Circunvalar Avenue where there is a presence of traffic authorities due to the intermittent impact of traffic in the south-north direction.. The presence of Dialogue Units has been necessary there to remove the blockade.
- Eastern Highway that connects the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport and the Malambo Battalion. Passengers at the air terminal are reporting that they fear missing their flights considering that traffic is reduced and they have even had to walk long distances to be able to travel..
Some difficulties have also been reported at the monument to the Window to the World and access areas to the Atlantic capital such as the Simón Bolívar neighborhood, however, these have managed to improve.
Read more news
The reasons for the protest
According to Donaire Romero, president of Sincotaxb (Taxi Drivers Union of Barranquilla), This decision was made by 44 affiliated taxi companies due to the provision of service in non-approved vehicles, that is: individuals.
He assures that it is false that the District is applying the norm that is already being complied with in the country and through which they must be sanctioned with fines that amount to five to 30 current legal daily minimum wages. as well as parking the vehicle for 30 days, for those who engage in illegal transportation.
He warned that the day will continue until a work table can be agreed upon with the Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla, taking into account that They say that they have not had real support in the face of what they consider to be unfair competition for the union, which is also affected by the price of gasoline.
What do the authorities say?
He Starting at 4:00 am, the District installed the Unified Command Post -PMU- from which the day’s follow-up and monitoring is carried out.as well as the necessary support to guarantee public order, coexistence and traffic during the development of this day.
It has also been reported that from the Office for Security and Citizen Coexistence of the District The team of Coexistence Managers and Community Liaisons has been made available in order to accompany the demonstrations.
To redirect the vehicular flow towards the planned detours, the Metropolitan Police has a support device from the Transit and Transportation Section.
Likewise, the Secretary of Traffic and Road Safety of Barranquilla established joint control measures between the Police and Traffic Counselors at the different points where the day of social demonstration will take place.
For your part Transmeter reported that its operation is progressing normally and has been in service since 5:00 a.m. m.
More news of the day
