Residents in downtown Mérida blockaded a section of Calle 55 to prevent buses from loading and unloading passengers directly in front of their homes.
Sitting defiantly on strategically placed chairs, the homeowners say that they are fed up with the noise, garbage, and pollution that comes with living next to a bus stop.
In a move to promote social distancing, Mérida’s city hall opted to “temporarily” spread out many of the city’s busiest bus stops. That was back in September 2020.
Businesses, homeowners, and passengers have voiced their concern that the measure creates more problems than it solves.
“It does absolutely nothing. We have all crammed into these buses anyway. The only difference is that now we have to walk further to catch our bus,” said a passenger who wished to only be identified as Ximena.
Earlier: For bus passengers in the Centro, frustration and anger
Angry homeowners blocking the buses from parking held signs with slogans. One would translate as “We can’t live like this, could you?”
The protestors say they have submitted multiple complaints to the city, but that their grievances have not been addressed.
“We know that the moment we go back inside, the bus drivers will simply move the chairs and get right back to it, but this is about sending a message,” said one of the homeowners.
Garbage discarded at the bus stop by passengers includes large amounts of bottles and wrappers, as well as used face masks and the occasional diaper.
