Unauthorized Fare Increase in Colectivos

(Acapulco, NA 19 March) Drivers of the colectivos (the yellow, shared taxis) yesterday hiked up the $12 peso fare to $20 pesos for the hours between 4 and 8 pm. The reason? The incredible traffic snarl in the cloverleaf at Puerto Marqués, where the main road from Acapulco to the airport intersects with the road from Puerto Marqués up to Coloso and El Cayaco. During rush hour delays of over an hour are possible, in both directions. The drivers lose time, gasoline and their livelihood.

Everyone is disgusted by the situation. The colectivos are the main form of transport from Colosio and Coloso to Acapulco, and $40 pesos round trip is too expensive for most residents. But due to the delays and congestion at the construction site, the drivers cannot afford to charge just $12 pesos for a trip over the ridge. City buses also run the routes, but they are infrequent (hourly) and always crowded. The ride takes around two hours – four times longer than the average colectivo ride when the construction does not slow them up.