Intermunicipal taxi drivers from Playas de Rosarito blocked a newly authorized public transit route for a second consecutive day on April 28, parking their green-and-yellow vehicles and placing tires across Boulevard Popocatépetl in Colonia Aztlán to prevent new operators from running.
The blockade began at 5 a.m. and involved drivers from as many as 17 different transport groups, according to Tijuana en Línea. Jaime Ibarra, a member of the Unión de Transportistas de Rosarito, said the protest would continue Wednesday after talks with state authorities failed to produce an agreement.
New Route Sparked the Dispute
The Instituto de Movilidad Sustentable (IMOS), Baja California’s transit agency, announced on April 25 that two new routes would launch from the Santa Fe subdivision. One connects Santa Fe to Playas de Rosarito, the other to Playas de Tijuana. IMOS director Jorge Alberto Gutiérrez Topete said the routes were created at the direction of Governor Marina del Pilar to address longstanding transit gaps.
The Santa Fe to Rosarito route starts on Calle Benito Juárez in Colonia La Gloria, runs through the Santa Fe development, enters Playas de Rosarito via Boulevard Popocatépetl, then follows Boulevard Benito Juárez to Colonia Morelos. White-and-yellow taxis will operate the route at a fare of 15 pesos (about $0.75 USD) for local trips and 17.50 pesos (about $0.88 USD) for intermunicipal rides. IMOS estimates the route will serve 24,098 residents.
Veteran Drivers Say They Were Ignored
The protesting drivers claim IMOS awarded the route to a rival group without consulting operators who have served the Rosarito to Tijuana corridor for over 30 years. Alfonso Villa, a permit holder and representative of the green taxi route, told El Sol de Tijuana that the law requires the agency to consider existing operators on the same stretch.
The established intermunicipal service charges 24 pesos (about $1.20 USD) per ride. Drivers argue the new operators lack proper intermunicipal permits and would be operating illegally without a restructuring of existing service agreements.
Talks Underway but No Resolution
IMOS confirmed it held a meeting with representatives of the protesting groups at its Tijuana offices, with participation from Baja California’s Secretaría General de Gobierno. The agency said it would continue dialogue sessions to seek a resolution. As of April 28, no agreement had been reached.
Santa Fe residents have petitioned for public transit for years, with some walking up to a kilometer to reach existing routes. The two new routes are designed to benefit a combined 51,444 residents in the area.
Originally reported by Punto Norte, El Imparcial, and Tijuana en Línea.