Private transport platforms have been authorized to operate in the tourist city since January 11. But the drivers are harassed and chased by local taxi drivers.
For three weeks, in Cancún, this seaside resort at the tip of the Yucatán peninsula, in Mexico, the vehicles of the Uber platform have been the subject of real persecution. Taxi drivers forbid them to approach hotels and the airport, otherwise they are tailed by taxis, which block their way, puncture their tires and force passengers to get off.
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Taxi drivers intend to defend their territory: taxi unions have exercised an absolute monopoly for forty years. In agreement with the local authorities of course, who benefit from this colossal loot. And for good reason: the seaside resort represents around 10 million tourists a year, attracted by the Caribbean beaches, and 10,000 taxis charging exorbitant prices. Uber offers trips three times cheaper, so tourists inevitably turn their backs on taxis.
“You taxis, we hate you”
In response to the attacks perpetrated by taxis, the authorities are doing nothing for the moment. According to Mexican President López Obrador, there is no problem between taxis and Ubers. However, the United States has issued a travel alert for its nationals, urging them to be very careful when staying in Cancún because of these unrest.
On social networks there are many videos of assaults, such as the one which shows a family of tourists in tears after being brutalized by taxi drivers because they had dared to take an Uber. There is also a video of Cancun residents urging police to arrest a driver who is blocking traffic. But as people shout: “You taxis, we hate you”the police remain idly by.
To show their frustration with these abuses, the residents of Cancún organized a day without taxis. It was January 27, but that day the taxis decided not to circulate, so to boycott the boycott in a way. They punished residents by stopping public transport buses, which are part of the same union, from running, which caused real chaos on the streets of the city.