Mexican Authorities Urge People To Switch To Bicycles Amid Country's Fuel Crisis

Fuel shortages have been reported in at least 10 of Mexico's 31 states over past several days, prompting authorities in a number of localities to take special measures, such as urging residents to ride bicycles instead of public transportation

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th January, 2019) Fuel shortages have been reported in at least 10 of Mexico's 31 states over past several days, prompting authorities in a number of localities to take special measures, such as urging residents to ride bicycles instead of public transportation.

The fuel shortages were caused by the government's crackdown on huachicoleros, criminals who specialize in illegally tapping pipelines to steal fuel. As part of the government's measures, state-owned petroleum company Pemex closed several large oil pipelines. Now, fuel is delivered mostly by tank-cars instead of pipelines, which led to a decrease in supply.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that by Wednesday morning, the problems with gasoline supply had affected 103 out of the 400 gas stations in the capital. The mayor noted that the supply would normalize later the same day.

Meanwhile, Raul Moron Orozco, the mayor of the city of Morelia, the capital of the central Mexican state of Michoacan, urged residents to walk or ride bicycles instead of using public transport due to the lack of fuel, local media reported.

In addition, about 250 police officers in Nezahualcoyotl, a suburb of Mexico City, were also asked to ride bicycles.

Residents of Mexico City complained about long lines at many gas stations in the capital drivers had to wait anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours.

A number of states also imposed a limit on the purchase of gasoline after people started bringing empty bottles, canisters and huge plastic tanks to gas stations to collect fuel.

Despite everything, Mexicans are not letting the crisis affect their spirit. For example, in Michoacan, a local mariachi band arranged an impromptu concert for drivers who were waiting to gas up their cars.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday called upon the people to refrain from stocking up fuel in panic. He also said that the authorities would resume the transfer of oil products through pipelines only once the fuel theft situation was resolved.