Bus strike snarls Dominican Republic’s biggest resort region

Higuey, Dominican Republic.- The first hours of the 24-hour walkout called by grassroots groups in eastern La Altagracia province were marked by torched tires and debris hurled on the streets in various sectors of the provincial capital Higuey, home to thousands of workers in the Punta Cana-Bavaro resort region.

A bus full of passengers was firebombed causing injuries to its driver, taken to La Altagracia hospital where his condition wasn’t specified.

The protesters demand several public works they say despite promised by the government and the City Council over a year ago have yet to materialize.

Despite that some leaders of drivers unions said they’d have buses available despite the strike, they have opted to park their vehicles since early Wednesday.

Among the busy routes where transport has been halted figures the Bavaro-Puntacana corridor, which services the thousands of workers of the dozens of hotels in the country’s biggest resort region.

Local media reported gunfire Tuesday night, while students were kept at home to avert incidents.