The Transmilenio mass transit system has also been seriously affected.
News Bogotá.
Colombia woke up on Tuesday with blockades in several regions of the country, led by truck drivers protesting against the $6,000 increase in the price of a gallon of diesel fuel, recently announced by the National Government.
The demonstrations have caused traffic chaos and significantly affected public and private transport, especially in Bogotá.
Impacts in Bogotá and Cundinamarca
The country’s capital has been one of the most affected cities. During the early morning, blockades were registered at key points such as the road to La Calera, Calle 80 Avenue and Boyacá Avenue with Calle 71 B Sur.
In these places, traffic came to a complete standstill, causing school routes, private vehicles and even motorcycles to become stuck in long traffic jams.
On 80th Street, the situation was particularly critical, with school buses carrying minors stuck until 10 p.m.
In Usme, south of Bogotá, citizens continue to walk long distances to try to get to work or different destinations.
Follow the truckers’ strike minute by minute 👉 https://t.co/qIBSL1cG74 pic.twitter.com/aYSDstbX7q
— Caracol News (@NoticiasCaracol) September 3, 2024
Some educational institutions in neighbouring municipalities, such as Cota, were forced to keep students in their facilities until late at night, waiting for the blockades to be lifted.
That is why, in the face of traffic chaos, the Chía mayor’s office made the decision to suspend classes in the municipality’s public schools to prevent students from being affected by the roadblocks and traffic jams that persist in the region.
Blockades on the road to Llano
The south of Bogotá also faced blockades, especially on the Via al Llano, where protesters remained throughout the night.
The situation was aggravated by low temperatures, which were around 9 degrees Celsius.
In this area, protesters lit bonfires and set up barricades to prevent the passage of vehicles, affecting the inhabitants of Usme and Ciudad Bolívar.
On the other hand, the Transmilenio mass transit system has also been seriously affected.
Blockades were reported at the Suba and Usme stations, which along with the Santa Lucía, Consuelo, Socorro and Molinos stations were closed due to the impossibility of bus circulation.
A citizen said that the journey he will have to take today is too long, as it is from Usme to El Dorado airport. He stressed that four trucks are blocking the passage in Molinos.
Another resident of Bogotá told this newscast at around 4:00 a.m. that she had to walk quite a bit and that she would see “how long I can last because I’m going as far as El Dorado Avenue,” she said on Noticias Caracol.
Some estimate that it will take them up to 4 or 5 hours to get to their workplaces.
Boyacá Avenue also suffered detours on its route between Calle 65 Sur and Carrera 15 Sur, affecting the zonal and feeder routes of Portal Tunal.
The road to Llano remains blocked by the truckers’ union: “We are closing the road up and down. Either they solve the problem or nobody will get through here”
Follow the truckers’ strike minute by minute 👉 https://t.co/qIBSL1cG74 pic.twitter.com/nQ6BLeBuI2
— Caracol News (@NoticiasCaracol) September 3, 2024
Recommendations for drivers
On the Vía al Llano, the Coviandina highway concessionaire reported the presence of protesters at kilometer zero, recommending drivers to look for alternative routes to avoid getting caught in blockades.
Although some points, such as kilometer 35, have been enabled, new blockades have been recorded at kilometer 85+400, in the Llano Lindo sector.
So far, truck drivers remain firm in their protest, demanding that the National Government reconsider the increase in the price of diesel fuel.
Meanwhile, lockdowns continue to affect mobility in various regions of the country, with significant consequences for citizens and public transport.
You may be interested in: “Sneaking in paid dearly for him”: man dies after confrontation with security guard at San Diego Transmilenio station
