Why are taxi drivers preparing protests for this Wednesday?

For this Wednesday, February 22, a sector of the taxi drivers union has called a day of protest to demand the high price of gasoline and the future of transport applications, such as Uber, Didi, Beat, among others.

Given the announcement, the Ministry of Transportation called a meeting with the union in order to listen to them and discuss with them the points that generate non-conformity in the individual public transport service.

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Minister Guillermo Reyes asked that the protests be carried out without affecting others. “Blocking the roads is violating the rights of others”, he added.

EL TIEMPO learned that although there are several leaders who support the national mobilization, there are others who do not share the call and they point out that, in the case of Bogotá, they have been at dialogue tables.

This meeting was convened virtually and/or in person, at 2 in the afternoon, at the facilities of the Ministry of Transportation to the representatives of taxi driversthe Ministers of Labour, ICT, Transport, Science and Technology.

According to what this newspaper learned, Minister Reyes hopes to listen to them, learn about their concerns and establish some work groups. A source from the entity recalled that they are listening to the taxi drivers and that, precisely, froute of meetings that have had the increase in the Soat (compulsory insurance) was reduced.

Herminso Bermúdez, one of the leaders of the union in Bogotá, stated that he does not agree with the strike, but that the reasons for protesting are various, including non-conformity over the transport applications. According to him he says:If they buy a private car it is to transport the family; If they want to enter the guild, no one will reject them.”.

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And he added: “That the minister does not open the doors to these drivers of private car vehicles; that if they wish, buy taxis and work in the same way as us, this is an open-door market”.

It should be noted that today the vast majority of taxis in the city and the country work with applications.

Another reason mentioned by Bermúdez is that there is no agreement on fuel rates. They hope that the increases for the union will be more moderate; Otherwise, it would imply an increase in the price of the fare for each trip.

It also points out that the penalty regime has been discussed for almost 10 years and is still under discussion. “It is not a fact because it has not been presented to Congress”.

One of the agreements that he hopes will be reached with the minister is the realization of a study to determine what is the offer and the demand in the service and thus “free” the almost 10,000 taxis that cannot leave by pick and plate.

It is worth mentioning that some of the union leaders believe it is possible that the demonstration can be reconsidered after the meeting with the Minister of Transportation, while others mention that, yes or yes, it has to be done to reach an agreement.

Citizens are recommended to anticipate their trips taking into account the following points of concentration:

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– Cali Avenue with 26th Street.
– In the vicinity of the El Dorado Airport.
– Calle 13 with carrera 37. (In front of the Ministry of Mobility)
– Calle 80 at the exit to Siberia.
– Calle 13 in the El Playón sector.
– Monument of Flags.
– Tunal Portal.
– Portal July 20.
– North Gate.

TIME