The Nuevo León government announced that, starting April 1, it will restrict the circulation of cargo vehicles not bound for the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA) as part of a strategy to combat high pollution levels in the region.
The measure establishes that trucks not bound for the ZMM must use bypasses and peripheral highways from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
As a result, the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP)expressed its disagreement with the way the decision was made, considering it hasty and lacking effective coordination with the sector.
“The Nuevo León government will have to conduct a much more thorough analysis because we’ve had the opportunity to work with them; however, we don’t see any reason for this hasty measure,” Leonardo Gómez, executive president of ANTP, told T21.
The mandatory implementation of the use of bypasses also represents a risk to export competitiveness , according to the ANTP, since Monterrey is a key gateway to border crossings with the United States.
He said the measure should not be “unilateral.” He emphasized that the transportation sector is committed to the environment and open to collaborating on emissions reduction, provided that decisions are based on technical analysis and joint participation.
“First, as ANTP, we have always been involved in seeking solutions for environmental protection. We believe that the technology finally exists, and we must push toward it,” explained Gómez.
The economic impact of this measure, he added, should not be underestimated, as any additional costs resulting from logistics ultimately affect the end consumer.
The design and implementation of the restriction also raise operational questions, particularly regarding how the origin and destination of vehicles will be defined in an area with multiple municipalities and dynamic routes.
“It’s important to understand that freight transportation is a very dynamic operation, and therefore it’s also important to have clear rules so they can be enforced,” said Gómez.
The ANTP warned that imposing the use of certain routes “in a forced manner,” especially if they are toll roads, without a reasoned analysis and without offering competitive alternatives, could lead to inequity and a loss of logistical efficiency.
“If you have that alternative route and you want to charge me for it, then you’re forcing the infrastructure to be used by decree, and that’s not right. We need to find a competitive cost, based on reasoning, not obligation,” Gómez explained.
The ANTP’s call was direct: an environmental strategy is needed that integrates , not excludes, the sector. It commented that industry, transportation, and government must work together to make the best decision.
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