No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsBusinessPorteadores announce more street blockades across Costa Rica next week

Porteadores announce more street blockades across Costa Rica next week

Traffic jams and blockades likely will return next week to Costa Rica’s roads as private chauffeurs, or porteadores, on Friday announced they will resume demonstrations against a government policy reducing their work permits by half.

Carlos González, president of the Porteadores Chamber, said at a news conference that, starting next week, drivers will stage a series of surprise blockades across the country.

The Public Transport Council (CTP), which regulates public transportation in Costa Rica, recently decided to renew only 1,324 out of 2,562 previously-existing permits for private chauffeurs, setting off a war between the government and the drivers.

That decision followed a ruling from the Government Attorney’s Office, stating the total number of permits for porteadores, known officially as Special Taxi Service, or SEETAXI, cannot exceed 30 percent of the total number of regular taxis in the country. Standard taxis currently number just over 11,000.

González did not confirm whether blockades will start Monday and only said “there will be blockades most of the week.”

He also said unlicensed taxi drivers, or piratas, will join the porteadores at protests in various provinces and stressed that they’re all ready to bear the consequences of their demonstrations.

Earlier this week Traffic Police Director Mario Calderón asked the Judicial Investigation Police to look into a recording of a conference call in which a supposed porteadora encourages others to intimidate Traffic Police officers who issue tickets to or confiscate license plates from permitless porteadores.

González denied rumors that the woman on the call was a chamber leader, however he said that the conversation was a clear example of the drivers’ desperation over losing their jobs.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Monitors Caribbean Tropical Wave with 70% Storm Chance

Those who live along the Caribbean coast know all too well how quickly weather can turn in October. Right now, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional...

Scientists Identify New Salamander in Costa Rica’s Highest Peak Ecosystem

Scientists have identified a new salamander species in the remote páramo of Chirripó National Park, highlighting our country's rich biodiversity and the pressing challenges...

Costa Rica Lawmakers Push Bill for Guaranteed Public Beach Access

A push to keep Costa Rica's beaches open to everyone took a step forward last week when a legislative committee approved a bill requiring...

Costa Rica Peanut Growing Guide From Planting to Harvest

Not long ago, a neighbor gave us some peanuts she said were from Peru. Since we’ve had good luck growing peanuts, we were excited...

How to Grow Broccoli Successfully in Costa Rica’s Highlands

In Costa Rica's cooler highland regions, home gardeners harvest fresh broccoli that brings a distinct flavor to everyday meals. This vegetable packs vitamins A,...

Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport Fixes Runway Issues Overnight

Contractors began repairs on the runway at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport this week, focusing on sections that did not meet required standards after...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica