Protesting Motorcyclists And Taxis Cause Traffic Chaos

Traffic in parts of San José was a complete mess, more than the usual, as caravans of taxis and motorcyclists joined in protest. Some 3.000 motorcyclists, according to estimates of the Asociación Nacional de Empleados Públicos y Privados (ANEP).

Being such a large group, they blocked several streets causing tremendous congestion at high noon.

Later in the day, around 6pm, a smaller group obstructed traffic at the Fuente de la Hispanidad rotonda in San Pedro.

Motorcyclists argue that they are being asked to pay 50% more over last year, the group with the single largest increase to the mandatory insurance portion of the Marchamo - vehicular circulation permit.

Eduardo Fernandez, head of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS0 solidarity insurance, said the state insurer has grounds to justify the increase and it is impracticable to reduce it.

A total of 382.027 registered motorcycles of all types are required to pay the 2012 Marchamo before December 31.

The protestors has asked for a face-to-face with the president of the INS, Guillermo Constenla, a meeting that never took place, thus will have vowed to be out in protest against this coming Tuesday.

With respect to the taxis, they are protesting the lack of application of the traffic laws by the Policía de Tránsito (traffic police) against "piratas" - informal or gypsy cabs.



Their protest began early Tuesday morning as groups of taxi drivers in various areas around San José applied "tortuguismo" - slow downs, causing traffic chaos.

Demonstrations also took place in Perez Zeledon, Siquirrs and Osa, though smaller in numbers.

The taxis drivers are demanding that the traffic laws pertaining to gypsy cabs are enforced.

Gilberth Ureña, spokesperson for the Foro Nacional de Taxistas said some 4.000 taxi drivers across the country took part in the protest.