QCOSTARICA – It won’t be today, but starting tomorrow any day is fair game, say the “informal” taxi drivers leaving an “open door” to continue their protests.
Thus, starting as early as tomorrow (Tuesday) the members of the Cámara Costarricense de Servicio Especial Estable de Taxi (SEE Taxi) will take to the streets to demonstrated against the decision of the Public Transport Council (Consejo de Transporte Público – CTP) to renew only 1,324 of the 2,562 permits held up to last month.
“We will not go to the streets on Monday, but let me make it clear, as of Tuesday, everything possible,” said Carlos Gonzalez, spokesperson of SEE Taxi.
Gonzalez told the press that the organization and drivers are not responsible for the events that could lead to altercations and disturb the peace, blaming the government for the problem.
Taking to the streets in protest, blocking traffic, began in Costa Rica in 2000 with the first massive protest by ICE workers against the “COMBO, the privatization of the state power and telecommunications institution.
Since, teachers, motorcyclists and taxi drivers, for example, and many others have taken to the streets to protest their discontent with the government or whatever.
As to the informal taxi drivers, be it the porteadores (those with permits to legally offer public transport) or the gypsy cabs, they see this is an important battle to be able to offer the public the choice.
Gonzalez added that their struggle is gaining support from all sides, including people dissatisfied with the formal taxis.
Protesting does nothing except upset everybody. They need to find a new job if there’s was taken away. That’s like being fired and protesting to get your job back. It’s not going to happen! Go find another job before someone takes that one…