MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Eight thousand bus drivers threaten to paralyze Santiago

The possible strike comes only a week after the new transit system was inaugurated and caused widespread confusion and public outrage after getting off to a slow start. Fenattrans president Sergio Cifuentes said the union was protesting the government for not responding to seven requests that the union sent to the government on January 8.

"This strike is against the government, and not the transport companies," said the union leader. "The government didn't respond to us." The union leaders are currently asking the government to force the group of companies that own Transantiago buses (Alsacia, SuBus, Gran Santiago, Express, Buses Metropolitiana, and Nueva Milenio) to pay salaries that are currently on hold because of litigation. The union is also for better working conditions. Sources told Chile's El Mercurio news daily that Santiago's subway system (Metro de Santiago) was also in talks to join the strike. The possible strike could throw Santiago's new transport system into ruin. The much hyped Transantiago system overhauled the city's famous previous system, which relied on private "micro" buses that would compete with each other for routes and passengers. The new system has provoked the ire of passengers, and last week saw everything from buss hijackings to mass protests as thousands of people were unable to commute using the new system. Over 400 Santiago residents marched Friday in central Santiago protesting the new system, and the United States embassy has warned American citizens in Santiago about the possibility of violent protests. Student leaders, who became famous after last year's student-lead protests rocked Chile, said they hope to join the various protests when school goes back into session in March. While the Transantiago system has seen a chaotic first week, the new system has yet to pass many potentially devastating tests. Most Santiago residents are currently on vacation outside of Santiago and school is currently out. When all of Santiago's workers and students return, the system will face its first real test. Check The Santiago Times archives for more news on the Transantiago system. By Nathan Crooks (editor@santiagotimes.cl)