The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have issued a brand new warning to guests of Cancun and the Mexican state of Quintana Roo over a possible battle between taxi drivers and ride-hailing service firms.
Medallion taxi drivers have been attacking ride-hailing service drivers as they battle over profitable vacationer rides. Unfortunately, passengers have been caught within the center.
“Official complaints towards Uber and different drivers do happen … and previous disputes between these providers and native taxi unions have sometimes turned violent, leading to accidents to U.S. residents in some cases,” the warning reads.
On Monday, taxi drivers blocked Kukulcán Boulevard — one of many important roads to the resort district in Cancun — forcing some passengers to stroll and even get police escorts.
Taxi drivers are reportedly livid over a courtroom ruling earlier this month that enables Uber to function in Quintana Roo with no public transport license. In 2021, the Mexican Supreme Court dominated that Uber isn’t a public transportation firm, so it does not need to adjust to the identical laws as taxi drivers. This infuriated taxi drivers, who face larger prices as a result of they’re thought-about public transportation.
Several social media movies present confrontations between taxi drivers and ride-hailing service drivers and their passengers.
It’s not the primary time this sort of transportation competitors has led to protests. In 2016, there have been nationwide strikes in France by taxi unions over the entry of app-based trip providers into the market. Those protests turned violent and successfully shut down Paris.
More not too long ago, taxi protests towards ride-hailing providers like Uber shut down elements of Barcelona.
There have additionally been large-scale protests towards app-based, ride-hailing firms in Belgium, Italy, and several other U.S. cities, together with Denver.
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If you might be headed to vacationer areas of Mexico, there are different choices to get round. The Cancun Sun has some good ideas.
For instance, in case you are seeking to get round contained in the vacationer zone in Cancun, there are low-cost buses and shuttles. If you are heading to the Hotel Zone, you possibly can guide a personal automobile or van by way of Expedia or Viator for as little as $30. While it could typically be somewhat pricier, you may also talk immediately along with your resort for the most effective transportation ideas at the moment.
The State Department had already issued a journey advisory for Mexico primarily based on crime. “In mild of broadly publicized safety incidents in fashionable vacationer locations, please keep in mind that all locations have some degree of danger,” the advisory reads.
It additionally suggests guests assessment private safety plans, concentrate on their environment, take note of native media and instantly name Mexican 911 in case of any points.
The Quintana Roo Tourism Board additionally has a “Guest Assist App” without cost obtain. The app provides security info, authorized recommendation, a grievance line, COVID-19 info and entry to a 24/7 bilingual name heart for customer help.
