transportation

Canatra issues demands

Cámara Nacional del Transporte (Canatra) members are expected to present a unified proposal to the government regarding their proposal for fuel subsidies and fare increases.

The group has been divided on these issues, but recently managed to reach an agreement among its members. That agreement avoided a transportation strike by some membebut a stoppage is still possible depending on the government’s reaction to the proposal.

Canatra is seeking a fare hike to 40 cents, up from 25 cents. This fare would increase to 50 cents after 9 p.m. That money would be used to hire security officers to ride on buses at night. They also want to increase student fares.

The group is also asking the government to subsidize the cost of diesel fuel, effectively freezing the price at $2.60 for buses.

Dionel Broce, the leader of a group of drivers from Pedregal, said that the measures are needed.

"Every time we receive a fuel subsidy of 10 cents, the price of diesel goes up 20 cents," he said. "We are sick of begging."

Broce said that Canatra's demands have not changed significantly, but that all the members are now behind the proposal.

"We are united," he said.

The government proposed increasing the fuel subsidy it pays to Canatra members from 35 cents per gallon of diesel to 50 cents. But members said that a subsidy alone isn't enough.