Students and citizens of Xalapa demonstrated this day through a march to express their rejection of the increase in public transportation rates, considering that the adjustment represents a direct blow to the family economy, especially for those who depend daily on this service to travel to their school and work activities.
During the mobilization, the protesters pointed out that a significant part of the Xalapa population, particularly university students, use one or more trucks a day, so the increase of three pesos per fare translates into a considerable expense when projected on a monthly or annual basis.
The protesters stressed that, although public transport operates under a concession scheme, it must maintain its accessible nature due to the social function it fulfills. In that sense, they criticized that the increase has been applied despite the fact that many units are in poor conditions, both mechanical and ecological, which – they stated – generates effects on the urban environment and the quality of service.
Although they recognized that the State Government has presented the reasons for the rate adjustment, they considered it unfair to pay more for a service that they described as deficient, pointing out that numerous units would have difficulty complying with official standards in the event of a technical review.
In the specific case of the combis in Xalapa, where the fare went from 7 to 12 pesos without official authorization, the dissidents questioned the position of some concessionaires who decided to maintain the charge while holding dialogue tables with the authorities. They affirmed that this increase responds to particular interests, mainly benefiting the owners of the concessions and not the drivers, who – they assured – should receive a decent wage regardless of the cost of the ticket.
Regarding possible sanctions against those who applied undue increases, the protesters pointed out that the fines are insufficient, since they only recognize that the fault occurred without correcting the direct impact on users. In that sense, they questioned whether the increase had not been stopped from the beginning.
Finally, they highlighted the relevance of the student sector in the economic dynamics of Xalapa, pointing out that students represent one of the main drivers of consumption in the city. They warned that the return to classes could trigger greater social discontent due to the increase in the cost of public transportation.
The mobilization was made up of students from various educational institutions, as well as members of citizen groups, who reiterated their demand for fair fares and decent public transportation for the capital of Veracruz.
