The rift between taxi and Uber drivers is escalating

By: Helena Prentis.

A longstanding argument about the domination of the taxi service Uber is once again re-surfacing in Puebla.

These days the hegemony of big businesses is unavoidable- consider OXXO slowly forcing many “Miscellaneas” to close down- now the same is happening with taxi drivers. Many drivers in Puebla have been forced to quite their job due to the costs of driving an unused taxi being to high.

Whilst one driver admits that there is still a large proportion of poblanos who do not own smart phones and therefore cannot order an Uber, he also stated that most people would generally take a bus over a taxi, which is now considered the most expensive form of transportation.

However a certain resentment has also developed towards the Uber drivers themselves, with various videos and reports emerging of taxi drivers harassing and threatening them. With some people arguing that perhaps the reason why taxis are growing more and more unpopular is due to this behaviour.

The taxi service Uber arrived in Puebla in summer 2015.