The governmental bus service, OMSA ordered free service on Wednesday, 17 October 2018, in response to the announced work stoppage by Fenatrano bus units. Hector Mojica, director of the entity, said that Omsa service was reinforced by units lent to it by the Ministry of Education, the Cesac, Air Force, Customs, Port Authority and other government agencies. Mojica said the free rides were offered to expedite the service and avoid long queues. He said the extra buses were put on key routes along the Maximo Gomez and 27 de Febrero avenues to guarantee people would have the means to get to their jobs.
The strike and protest march to the Ministry of Industry & Commerce called by Fenatrano president Juan Hubieres was then called off and did not take place. Later Hubieres claimed he never called for the strike.
A report in El Nacional speculates that the positioning of police- military and the free bus service offered by Omsa discouraged the Fenatrano and other disgruntled transport groups of transport workers to go ahead with the protests. The coordinated effort of the government agencies were effective deterrents to the march that was to take place in front of the Ministry of Industry & Commerce on Av. 27 de Febrero and the bus work stoppage scheduled for Wednesday.
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El Nacional
Hoy
El Nacional
22 October 2018
