The urban transport unions of Lima and Callao declare a total strike on 4 July.

5 major urban transport unions in Lima and Callao such as Chamber of Urban Transport (CTU), in Callao Business Consortium (Conecsa), Transport Companies Alliance (Aemus) and Callao Association of Companies (Asestraca), announced a complete shutdown of services next Monday July 4thwhich would mean that more than 16 thousand units will stop working.

Richard Parathe president of the CTU, noted that his union’s decision to join the nationwide strike called for by the provincial unions on that date is in response the lack of decisions that the executive branch has formulated against rising fuel prices.

“We felt so touched by this an increase in fuel, which has increased by 80% in recent months. The percentage of the main operating costs, which is fuel, makes it impossibility of further provision of the service under normal conditions,” Pareja said.

Ticket hike

According to the CTU leader, the increase in hydrocarbons this makes it necessary that tariffs also increasewhat they have been trying to contain in recent months as stated.

“If the average ticket costs S/2.00, this should go up to S/3.20. But we are aware that this current situation with COVID-19 and the misfortunes that are happening in the country, it is impossible for them to pay a higher rateso the state should subsidize a passenger who cannot pay more,” Pareja said.

In this sense, he pointed out that the unions demand that the state cover the difference in fuel prices so as not to affect thousands of their users.

We offer at least cover the difference of what you would have to increase by 60%. The state is at least paying attention to this increase, which should have happened,” he explained.

In addition, he pointed out that the increase in fuel consumption affects transport units, paralyzed because you can’t afford it Maintenance.

“We see with great sadness that more than 40% of the vehicles of the city transport service are currently stopped, because it is no longer possible for a bus owner to provide maintenance with the low incomes that we currently have,” he said.

Ready for dialogue

The leaders indicated that before July 4 they are ready to meet with the executive branch and find a solution.

“We call on the government act responsibly decide to this question of fuel, that unless a reasonable agreement is reached on the basis of what is appropriate, definitely official transport will go bankrupt. And if official transport goes bankrupt, unfortunately, the informal sector will begin to spread in our country,” said Ricardo Pareja.