Run on diesel fuel creating public transit crisis in Tijuana





By Omar Millan Gonzalez
June 18, 2008

TIJUANA – A critical shortage of diesel fuel resulted Wednesday in cancellations and delays in public and private transportation.
Gas stations still selling diesel have reported huge lines of semis, pickups and municipal buses, something never before seen.


The president of the Tijuana Association of Gas Station Owners, Joaquin Aviña, said the Pemex terminal in Rosarito Beach stopped selling diesel after it ran out of the fuel on Monday; the next shipment isn't due until next Monday.
Jorge Gonzalez, administrative director of the binational tourist-transportation company Mexicoach, said that because of the shortage, his firm would have to cancel scheduled trips and raise fees. Its buses have been forced to fill up in San Diego, where diesel is 56 percent more expensive than in Tijuana.

Public transit drivers who work the Green and Cream, Red and Cream, and Blue and White lines that crisscross the city said they would stop service at 5 p.m. Wednesday, when their buses will run out of fuel.

“I won't be able to drive because we won't have any diesel. This does affect us, but those more directly affected are the public, because we'll certainly stop early today and we don't know if we'll be able to work tomorrow,â€