This Tuesday, July 23, the country will face a new day of taxi strikes. The union has called for mobilizations in major cities to express their dissatisfaction with individual drivers and motorcycles providing transportation services through apps.
Taxi drivers have begun their strike early in the morning with demonstrations and a plan to slow down traffic. In some cities, authorities have even canceled in-person classes at public and private schools.
Cities Affected by the Taxi Strike
Several cities have already announced their participation in the taxi strike along with designated gathering points. Here are the details for each city.
Bogotá
The taxi drivers’ union has established the following meeting points in Bogotá:
- 170th Street with North Highway
- Engativá (63rd Street with 110th Street)
- The Y of Fontibón
- The Techo Stadium
- Plaza Imperial
- El Tunal Park
- Saint Librada
- South Terminal.
Cartagena
In La Heroica, taxi drivers will have seven concentration points before heading to the Historic Center:
- Transport Terminal
- Bomb The Amparo
- Ceballos
- Port Society
- Foot of the Hill at Castillo San Felipe
- Bocagrande at the Caribe Hotel
- Airport.
Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of Cartagena “has determined that this Tuesday, July 23, classes will be suspended in all public and private schools in the District,” according to a statement issued on Monday afternoon.
Bucaramanga
In the capital of Santander, taxi drivers will implement a slow-moving plan starting at 7 a.m.:
- They will move from Puerta del Sol through the city.
Tunja
This Tuesday, starting at 4 a.m., taxi drivers will operate on a slow schedule throughout the city and will gather at:
- The Mushrooms
- North Roundabout
- Governor’s Roundabout
- The Muiscas
- Normal Leonor Alvarez Pinzon.
This city will also not have in-person classes in academic institutions.
“Public schools will conduct their academic activities virtually due to the national strike organized by the taxi union,” the Mayor’s Office stated.
Cali
Taxi drivers will mobilize from 5 a.m. at the following points:
- Trade Pass
- To me
- Sameness
- Alfonso Lopez
- Cover to the Sea
- 13th Street and 110th Avenue, Jamundí Street.
Manizales
Taxi drivers will gather at the Milan roundabout at 8 a.m.
Pasto
Taxi drivers from Pasto will also join the mobilization, following a slow route plan from 7 a.m.
- They will meet in the Campesino sector and proceed via Fátima, 18th Street, the Department of Transit, Parque Nariño, and take Carrera 27 to 16th Street, culminating at Rumipamba Park.
Santa Marta
In Santa Marta, there is another development: bus drivers are also joining the strike due to non-compliance with regulations governing individuals and motorcycles providing services in the city.
According to local media, transport associations led by Asotradismar, Sitrás, and Independientes have decided to halt their activities.
They aim to take over major roads and initiate a caravan.
Valledupar
In Valledupar, taxi drivers have announced that they will halt their vehicle operations after 6 a.m.
They will protest in the Governor’s Square and proceed to the Mayor’s Office.
EDITORIAL LATEST NEWS
Taxi Strike in Colombia Scheduled for July 23: Key Details and Insights
This Tuesday, July 23, the country will experience a new day of taxi strike. The union has called for mobilizations in the main cities to show their dissatisfaction with individual drivers and motorcycles providing transportation services via applications.
Taxi drivers have been on strike since early in the morning, with demonstrations and a slowdown plan. In some cities, the authorities have even canceled face-to-face classes in public and private schools.
The Cities Participating in the Taxi Strike
Several cities have already announced that they will join the taxi strike and the gathering points. Find the details of each city here:
Bogotá
The taxi drivers’ union has designated the following meeting points in Bogotá:
- 170th Street with North Highway
- Engativá (63rd Street with 110th Street)
- The Y of Fontibón
- The Techo Stadium
- Plaza Imperial
- El Tunal Park
- Saint Librada
- South Terminal
Cartagena
In La Heroica, the taxi drivers will have seven concentration points leading to the Historic Center:
- Transport Terminal
- Bomb The Amparo
- Ceballos
- Port Society
- Foot of the Hill in Castillo San Felipe
- Bocagrande at the Caribe Hotel
- Airport
Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of Cartagena has “determined that this Tuesday, July 23, classes will be suspended in all public and private schools in the District,” as stated in a Monday afternoon announcement.
Bucaramanga
In the capital of Santander, taxi drivers will be following a slow-moving plan starting at 7 a.m. from:
- Puerta del Sol to the interior of the city
Tunja
This Tuesday, starting at 4 in the morning, taxi drivers in Tunja will operate on a slow schedule throughout the city. Key points include:
- The Mushrooms
- North Roundabout
- Governor’s Roundabout
- The Muiscas
- Normal Leonor Alvarez Pinzon
This city will also not hold in-person classes in academic institutions. According to the Mayor’s Office, “Public schools will conduct their academic activities virtually due to the national strike planned by the taxi union.”
Cali
Taxi drivers in Cali will mobilize from 5 a.m. at the following points:
- Trade Pass
- Tome
- Sameliness
- Alfonso Lopez
- Cover to the Sea
- 13th Street and 110th Avenue, Jamundí Street
Manizales
Taxi drivers will gather at the Milan roundabout at 8 a.m.
Pasto
Taxi drivers in Pasto will join the mobilization with a turtle plan route starting at 7 in the morning. They will meet at the following location:
- Campesino sector and proceed through Fátima, 18th Street, the Department of Transit, Parque Nariño, and take Carrera 27 to 16th Street, concluding at Rumipamba Park
Santa Marta
In Santa Marta, bus drivers will also join the strike due to non-compliance with regulations regarding individual and motorcycle services in the city. Transport associations, including Asotradismar, Sitrás, and Independientes, have decided to cease their activities and hope to dominate main roads with a planned caravan.
Valledupar
Taxi drivers in Valledupar have announced that they will refrain from circulating their vehicles after 6 a.m. They plan to protest at Governor’s Square and then head to the Mayor’s Office.
Understanding the Reasons Behind the Taxi Strike
The ongoing dissatisfaction among taxi drivers primarily stems from the rise of app-based transportation services that they believe undermine their business and regulatory standards. Many taxi drivers argue that these services operate in a less regulated environment, giving them an unfair competitive advantage.
Furthermore, the taxi union has expressed concerns about safety, income stability, and the future of traditional taxi services if the current situation persists. The calls for a strike serve not only as protests but also as requests for regulatory changes to level the playing field in the transportation sector.
What to Expect During the Taxi Strike
Local authorities and the taxi union ask for public understanding and patience during this period of mobilization. Commuters should anticipate:
- Possible traffic congestion in major cities
- Disruptions in school schedules due to class cancellations
- Limited availability of taxi services throughout the duration of the strike
Benefits of Participating in the Strike
For drivers involved in the strike, there are several perceived benefits:
- Unity and Solidarity: Taking action together fosters a sense of community and shared purpose among taxi drivers.
- Awareness: The strike brings heightened public attention to the challenges within the transportation industry, making it harder for stakeholders to ignore these issues.
- Potential Policy Changes: Organizing collectively often leads to negotiations for more favorable regulations and protections for drivers.
What Commuters Can Do
Commuters are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternative transportation options during the strike. Consider the following:
- Carpooling with friends or family
- Using public transport if available
- Planning travel times to avoid peak strike hours
- Staying informed through local news for updates on the strike situation
Conclusion
As the taxi strike unfolds on July 23, key cities across Colombia will see widespread demonstrations and changes in transportation availability. The situation reflects ongoing tensions between traditional taxi services and app-based transport providers. Stakeholders on both sides will need to come to the table to address these pressing concerns timely and effectively.
