Transporters from the state capital began working groups with state authorities to advance the modernization of public transportation, as part of the so-called Olmeca Project, which is expected to be launched in the coming months in Xalapa, reported Óscar Luis Ceballos Ramírez, president of the Xalapa Urban Service.
The leader explained that a first meeting was recently held with the majority of the concessionaires, in which the trust scheme that will accompany this modernization project was presented, although he clarified that the number of units that will be renovated nor the costs that their implementation will entail have not yet been defined.
He explained that the meeting focused exclusively on the explanation of the Olmeca Project and that the dialogue tables will continue in the coming days, with a new meeting scheduled for the following week.
In relation to the recent adjustment to the public transportation rate, Ceballos Ramírez specified that this issue was not addressed during the meeting, since it is a determination based on studies and analyzes carried out by the State Government, derived from the increase in the costs of inputs, which – he said – have increased by more than 140 percent.
The transportation leader assured that the rate adjustment was not arbitrary and that the state governor was aware of it, and she was the one who made it known publicly, clarifying that the increase applied only to the urban service of the capital of Veracruz.
Given the citizen discontent due to the lack of prior notice and the conditions of some units, he acknowledged that there are negative indications, although he reiterated that the union’s commitment is to renew and modernize the vehicle fleet, which faces a delay of more than 11 years without a comprehensive update.
He indicated that currently the Xalapa Urban Service operates between 360 and 420 units, of which only between 10 and 15 remain out of circulation due to the high cost of inputs, mainly fuel, whose price is around 27 pesos per liter.
He added that the renovation of units has been carried out gradually, with the incorporation of one or two new units every three months, some of them with Euro 6 technology, considered more environmentally friendly.
Finally, Ceballos Ramírez expressed his confidence that during the current state administration a broader renewal of public transportation in Xalapa will take place, supported by the Olmeca Project and the joint work between transporters and state authorities.
