Assembly approves report on purchase of 60 electric trolleybuses in Quito

Ecuador's National Assembly has approved a fiscal oversight report concerning the acquisition of 60 electric trolleybuses for Quito. The report, approved with 83 affirmative votes on June 23, 2026, details institutional and administrative actions linked to the purchase.

During the report's presentation, Assembly member Xavier Ordóñez highlighted alleged irregularities in the contracting scheme. The process reportedly involved the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) as an intermediary, allowing the acquisition to occur outside Ecuador's National Public Procurement System. This method allegedly incurred administrative commissions and presented inconsistencies regarding contributions and responsibilities outlined in the agreement, while also limiting state oversight mechanisms.

The commission's findings indicate that the Memorandum of Agreement between Quito's Metropolitan Public Transport Company (Epmtpq) and UNOPS extended beyond technical cooperation, functioning as an execution structure that transferred substantial procurement functions to a third party. This arrangement allegedly circumvented the standard public contracting regime applicable to an operation funded by public resources for an essential service.

Furthermore, the agreement was reportedly signed without prior authorization from the Epmtpq's board, despite committing over $32 million in company funds. The report also notes that the board was chaired by Quito's mayor, Pabel Muñoz, who had signed a preceding Memorandum of Understanding with UNOPS. The commission also pointed to potential cost overruns, including implementation and indirect costs, and stated that the advance transfer of all committed funds reduced the capacity for monitoring and controlling public resource execution.