More than 800 needed hospital rides during strike

Mérida, Yucatán — During Tuesday’s taxi strike, the city set aside 16 vans for anyone who needed hospital trips. Demand exceeded expectations, with 803 people in four and-a-half hours availing themselves of the service.

Many residents who don’t have access to private cars rely on taxis for visits to any of seven hospitals in the city center. Service began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m., when FUTV union drivers returned to their jobs. 

The rides were free to anyone who came.

Passengers, largely elderly or pregnant, either had medical appointments or visiting ailing friends and family assigned a bed.

The vans were based in a municipal parking lot on Calle 63 between 62 and 64. Municipal employees were drivers.

 

The vans went to O’Horán and Juarez hospitals and IMSS medical centers.