[sustran] nationwide bus strike in El Salvador

[Heather M. Fenyk]

August 10, 2000

Nation Wide Bus Strike in El Salvador

Salvadorans have been walking more than usual these past two days. In
reaction to a motion in the government to stop subsidizing diesel, 12
thousand buses have stopped service. In order to get to where they need to
be many people are taking military vehicles, microbuses, taxis, trains, or
simply using their own two feet.

Many of the major roads in El Salvador are
lined by thousands of buses who have parked themselves in the shoulders of
the freeways in order to make their protest more visible. In some key
sections of San Salvador the buses are parking clear across the streets,
creating severe traffic jams. In spite of the threats of the government, the
strike is expected to continue tomorrow.

The governments plan to cut the diesel subsidy comes within a National plan
to privatize the road system in El Salvador. If bus subsidies are cut, cost
for public transportation will rise dramatically. Not only will the poor be
able to travel, but costs of basic foodstuffs will also rise as gasoline
prices rise.


______________________heather m. fenyk
                          rutgers university - planning and public policy

                 p.o. box 446 - new brunswick, nj 08903
                   tel. +1 732 846-7993 | fax. +1 732 846-7993
        fenyk at eden.rutgers.edu   http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/index.html