Taxi drivers protesting the legal status of drivers without permits caused congestion on the Intramerican highway Monday, and the protests are expected to continue all this week.

The taxi drivers, who are in a squeeze between higher fuel prices and fewer customers, want a law changed that permits the so-called porteadores. They characterize these drivers as piratas.

The permitted drivers drove slowly around Alajuela Monday, causing massive traffic jams behind them. Some jams were reported near Grecia and Esparza.

There may have been blockades elsewhere.

The drivers plan to bring their protest to the Cental Valley today in the vicinity of Grecia. Thursday they will be closer to the center of the city, they said.

Drivers are now paying more for fuel but the higher taxi rates have reduced passengers. So the pirate drivers who undercut them are a target.