Former Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz responded to statements made by the current minister of that portfolio, Louis de Grange, who announced changes to the Uber Law regulations, citing supposed issues with the version presented by the government of former President Gabriel Boric. In an interview with La Tercera yesterday, the minister claimed that the document prepared by the previous administration would destroy the app industry and lead to increased unemployment by raising vehicle requirements. Today, in the same newspaper, Juan Carlos Muñoz sent a letter to the editor titled "The Minister's Inaccuracies," warning that De Grange "made several statements that do not align with reality.
" "Regarding the 'Uber Law,' it is incorrect to say that vehicles cannot move between municipalities. The law—just like with taxis, which is the sector it sought to equate—regulates mobility between regions, allowing a driver to take a passenger outside their region, but does not permit them to stay and work in it," he emphasized. The former minister also clarified that "the requirement for vehicles to be at least one year old, as indicated by the minister, does not affect those currently operating—who can be up to 10 years old—but applies to those that join once the law comes into effect.
" Muñoz also addressed the questions raised by De Grange regarding the management of the Ministry and its budget. The current minister stated that he would comply with the 3% reduction requested by the Treasury, eliminating personnel ties. In this regard, the former secretary of state maintained that "regarding the permanence of my trusted cabinet in the MTT, this also does not align with reality; everyone submitted their resignation in due time and is now out of the institution.
Furthermore, it is also incorrect to state that there were 11 journalists in the minister's cabinet, rather there were 6. " "The MTT budget is close to US$2. 1 billion.
Of that, only 3. 5% is accounted for by personnel. To assert—like the minister does—that it is possible to cut nearly 3% of spending by eliminating positions would leave the MTT practically without staff," he added.
Muñoz warned that "if, on the other hand, the authority decides to move forward with optimizing public transport offerings—which is a goal I share—it is important to ensure that a reduction of that magnitude does not impact the quality of service and the dignity of users, who are mostly from the most vulnerable segment. " "Beyond the legitimate differences that may exist, it is crucial to inform and discuss rigorously, based on data and certainly with a broad perspective," concluded the former minister.