Mexico City government will eliminate gasoline and diesel taxis, announced Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera Monday.
“Only hybrid and electric taxis will be given concessions,” he said. “Any other vehicle will not have their concession renewed.”
Only 22 electric or hybrid taxis are currently in circulation in Mexico City, but there are 16 free car recharging stations.
Mancera said that he is also working to remove microbuses from circulation. This year, 1,500 microbuses have been removed from circulation, and Mancera hopes to remove a total of 18,000 by 2018.
Accompanied by Mobility Secretary Héctor Serrano, Mancera recognized that the changes in transportation policy have not been well received by many people, although they intend to improve quality of life.
“Mexico City has taken decisive steps, and not for political benefit, I want to make that clear,” he said. “Many people don’t like when you tell them to slow down from 80 kilometers per hour to 50, because obviously it’s not popular, but it is very important to save lives. Traffic cameras are also important.”
Mancera said that he will continue such policies, even if they damage his popularity.
“For other cities, if you want to have high approval ratings, don’t do it, but if you want better mobility it is indispensable,” he said.
Mancera added that Mexico City is also working to reduce violence against women on public transportation, through initiatives such as the BiciBus in the Centro Histórico.
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