Transport authority blitz hits pirates

Buses  were towed drivers fined and/or decertified, and passengers  and drivers “inconvenienced”  during a Corridor Sur blitz on transport pirates on Wednesday, March 21.

The operations were conducted by the Transit Authority (ATTT), whose director, Juan Pablo Mora, said that the plan was to eradicate piracy. On the first day 32 drivers were fined, 11 buses were towed (4 "diablos rojos" and 7 busitos and 15 drivers were decertified.

Passengers said they used pirate transport because of the the lack of Metro Buses. Mora said it is not safe to use pirates because the drivers have no protection in case of accident

Some angry users blocked the corridor but the road was cleared an hour later, when Metro Bus units arrived to provide free service to stranded passengers.

The ATTT says that in the coming weeks the fine for piracy will climb from $500 to $2000.