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Santa Catalina Buses Resume Partial Service With Limited Police Escorts After Driver’s Killing

Police are providing staged escorts that drivers say are too thin to protect a sharply reduced fleet.

Overview

  • Operations restarted gradually nearly a week after the March 11 shooting of driver Michael Hurtado Serna in Villa El Salvador, with only part of the fleet back on routes.
  • Halcones motorcycle officers and patrol cars are escorting buses in segments, handing off coverage along the route.
  • Union leader José Quispe said just four officers were assigned to route 23-A and reported that only about 15 drivers returned as others resigned or stayed home out of fear.
  • An RPP reporter saw no police presence on at least Avenida México despite company claims of escorts on certain stretches.
  • Family and colleagues have reported extortion demands reportedly exceeding S/50,000 as police collect evidence and review surveillance footage in the ongoing investigation.