Drivers in San Juan on Monday could face delays from early in the day because of a demonstration called by the Federación de Porteadores Escolares de Puerto Rico and the Comité de Transportistas. The school transportation operators will begin gathering at 7:30 AM on the Kennedy Avenue frontage road and plan to depart at 9:00 AM for the offices of the Oversight Board in Hato Rey.
They will then continue to the Department of Education, the Capitol, and end the route at La Fortaleza. The protest seeks payment of a pending debt the Department of Education owes for transportation services already provided. Federation president José Rosado also warned that rising fuel prices have worsened the sector’s economic situation.
Rosado said operators face costs for diesel, maintenance, repairs, insurance and payroll while waiting for overdue payments, and that the situation threatens the continuity of the service they provide to students, including Special Education students. During the demonstration the Federation will demand a concrete date to settle the debt and a payment schedule. The operators said they will take their demand to various government agencies and decision-making centers along Monday’s route.