According to the association, the 2027 Marchamo fee includes an additional charge known as the bus transportation operator fee. However, the organization claims the charge is being collected twice.

The same fee is already included in another annual payment that transportation operators make directly to the Public Transportation Council (Consejo de Transporte Público, CTP), an agency under the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), they claim.

The association says the additional fee ranges from $175 to $710 and is already covered by the mandatory payment required to obtain authorization to provide private passenger transportation services. The amount varies depending on the passenger capacity of each bus or van.

Association members consider the additional charge a duplicate payment and will protest Tuesday morning along sections of Route 27 and Route 310.

Route 27 is one of Costa Rica's busiest highways, connecting San José Province with the Pacific provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. It is also one of the main routes from San José to Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela Province.

Route 310 is the main highway connecting San José with Santa Ana Canton and includes an access route to Route 27.

The drivers will travel at low speeds along a 10-kilometer stretch, starting at the Eddy Cortés National Gym in La Sabana Canton and ending at the facilities of the Public Services Regulatory Authority (Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, Aresep) in Santa Ana Canton.

Aresep is the government agency responsible for regulating public service rates in Costa Rica.

At Aresep's facilities, association leaders will deliver a formal request seeking the elimination of the allegedly duplicated charge from the Marchamo fee.

Traffic police have urged drivers to avoid the affected area while protesters remain on the roads. Authorities recommend that people traveling toward the western part of the country, Juan Santamaría International Airport or the Santa Ana area allow extra time for their trips. Drivers who cannot avoid the protest zone should anticipate delays of more than two hours.

The demonstration is expected to last at least two hours. Traffic officers will be stationed at key points along the route to redirect vehicles and manage traffic flow.

The MOPT oversees the country's road, port and airport infrastructure, as well as national public transportation policy.

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What have you heard about expats facing high Marchamo fees in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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