Bus Strike Brings Transport Chaos to Colombia
- 14 years ago
If you think it takes too long to get home, take a look at this. Industrial action in Columbia is bringing parts of Bogota to a halt. Thousands of bus drivers are on strike, leaving crowds of commuters stranded at bus stops.
Over 16,000 Colombian bus drivers went on strike over new vehicles on Monday bringing traffic to a stand-still in many areas of Bogota.
Huge crowds wait at bus stops, but very few come, leaving many of them late for work. Only a few buses operated, which was not nearly enough in a city with a population of more than seven million.
Bus drivers and public transport businessmen block avenues to protest, and clash with riot police, who also had to control angry bus users that vandalized parked vehicles, pelting them with stones.
Head of the Association of Minor Transporters, Hugo Villamil, says the government wants to pay meager prices for the new vehicles that will have to be replaced this year.
[Hugo Villamil, Association of Minor Transporters]: (Spanish, Male)
"This (public transport system) is simply a massacre - what the district (government) wants to do, by buying our vehicles for insignificant prices. They talk about a so-called democratization, but it is actually a capitalist socialism, which the mayor has disguised to destroy us."
Many Bogota residents have to resort to bicycles, taxis and vans to make it to work.
[Commuter]: (Spanish, Male)
"This (protest) affected me in terms of time, money and mobility. Our clients don't wait."
Twenty-four people were arrested throughout the city for damaging buses.
Over 16,000 Colombian bus drivers went on strike over new vehicles on Monday bringing traffic to a stand-still in many areas of Bogota.
Huge crowds wait at bus stops, but very few come, leaving many of them late for work. Only a few buses operated, which was not nearly enough in a city with a population of more than seven million.
Bus drivers and public transport businessmen block avenues to protest, and clash with riot police, who also had to control angry bus users that vandalized parked vehicles, pelting them with stones.
Head of the Association of Minor Transporters, Hugo Villamil, says the government wants to pay meager prices for the new vehicles that will have to be replaced this year.
[Hugo Villamil, Association of Minor Transporters]: (Spanish, Male)
"This (public transport system) is simply a massacre - what the district (government) wants to do, by buying our vehicles for insignificant prices. They talk about a so-called democratization, but it is actually a capitalist socialism, which the mayor has disguised to destroy us."
Many Bogota residents have to resort to bicycles, taxis and vans to make it to work.
[Commuter]: (Spanish, Male)
"This (protest) affected me in terms of time, money and mobility. Our clients don't wait."
Twenty-four people were arrested throughout the city for damaging buses.