Cargo haulers will shut down Mexico’s major highways on August 29–30 in protest because their demands have not been met by federal officials, despite repeated pleas.
Valentn Romero Trujillo, delegate of the Mexican Alliance of Transport Companies (AMOTAC), indicated that among his main demands is the improvement of safety on the different highways, since these are often affected by problems of insecurity.
“Every day we suffer attacks, robberies, and murders of both the carriers and the users who travel the roads without the commanders of the National Guard ordering the necessary measures to stop this situation,” he said.
He said that there are even areas where the insecurity is unstoppable, which is why it is necessary to take some measures in this regard, such as reinforcements by the National Guard, to prevent transport companies in all their modalities from continuing to become victims of criminals actions.
What other requirements do transport companies have in addition to safety?
Romero Trujillo said that another of his demands is the placement of cargo and tourist vehicles that have an outdated model and are registered in the system. They claim that the Secretariat for Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) is responsible for this process.
In addition, he explained that the renewal of the units required certain rates of operation since, without them, it could not be carried out.
He also pointed out that action is needed against state and local authorities as extortion or wrongful acts are common in several areas.
“We demand an end to excessive towing service charges, that they respect their official tariffs, and that both local and state authorities do not enforce them,” he added.
Another aspect of the nationwide strike that is being called for will be a reduction in toll highway tolls, as they are in very poor condition, yet significant payments would be made to allow passage through them.
“They are overdone; they lack maintenance and are in poor condition; they don’t perform the services they offer; we have roads in terrible, disgusting condition; and we pay a very expensive toll,” he said.
