San Cristóbal chauffeurs protested violently yesterday when Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) agents banned them from picking up passengers along the Prolongación Independencia, following the inauguration of a new AMET/OMSA bus route. Police agents were stationed along the key points of entry to avoid further protesting. The minibuses have been instructed to establish alternate West-East routes along Avenida Cayetano Germosen or along the Autopista 30 de Mayo (Malecón). The bus drivers feel they have been left without a way to earn a living because most of the people who use public transport prefer the Independencia. While on Monday, activities were normal within San Cristóbal, commuters to Santo Domingo from that southwestern city were affected. Large AMET buses has displaced the "voladoras" from other city avenues.
