Striking bus workers vandalize buses, clash with police

Striking Metro bus drivers in San Miguelito clashed with riot police after buses were vandalized in the early hours of Thursday morning (January 31).

The walk out by a group of Metro Bus drivers demanding a salary of $800, began At 12:01 am, but in other parts of the city buses were in service. The striking drivers seem to have little support among the public with callers to radio hotlines asking why as diablos rojos drivers they didn’t revolt against their former employers,  when they  often received no social security benefits and worked long hours driving underserviced vehicles.

Drivers blocked the entrance and exit of the bus yard in Ojo de Agua, San Miguelito. At about 3:50 am, the police fired tear gas against the drivers of buses operated by Mi Bus company which operates the Metro Bus service.

Mi Bus, through a statement, said the security team of the company "is in the ability to identify people who committed this alleged act of vandalism in the courtyard of The Cabima (Mayor Diaz)."

According to the company, the system is currently running on a regular basis, despite the problems in San Miguelito.

Inocente Guerra, the drivers’ spokesman said the group  he represents had nothing to do with the vandalism in the courtyard of The Cabima (Mayor Diaz). He said the struggle is peaceful.

Meanwhile, the corporate manager of Mi Bus, Ivan Posada, reported that 27 buses were stoned says La Prensa.

National Police agents have been deployed on different routes to identify and capture those who are pursuing against buses, affecting the system and its users, said  a company statement.

The company  said that 700 buses are rolling in the city, and are expected to meet the passenger demand.