Buenos Aires bus system faces crisis as passenger numbers drop and older vehicles dominate

The public transport system in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) is experiencing a severe crisis, particularly affecting the bus network. Over the past five years, the number of buses has decreased from 18,000 to 16,000. Compounding the issue, the vehicles are aging, and investment in the sector remains low. Industry sources indicate that during the same period, fare increases have lagged behind inflation, and subsidies have also not kept pace. This has led to a progressive depletion of companies' capital, resulting in fewer operational buses and a decline in service quality. Consequently, passengers are seeking alternative transportation methods like motorcycles and bicycles. This passenger decline is occurring despite a growing population in Buenos Aires and its province, which has added approximately 1.5 million inhabitants in the last decade. In contrast, the number of daily passengers has fallen by about a third, from 11 million a decade ago to around 7 million on weekdays currently. A notable trend is the significant drop in Sunday ridership in the suburbs, with July 2024 seeing a 54% decrease compared to July 2023. To modernize the fleet, experts suggest a global shift towards fewer but more modern, sustainable, and fuel-efficient vehicles. Buenos Aires is implementing a policy to accelerate this transition: starting January 1, 2027, new buses cannot be equipped with traditional diesel engines; they must be powered by compressed natural gas (GNC) or electricity. In this context, Chinese company King Long, specializing in commercial vehicles, is gaining prominence. Having introduced prototypes in 2010, the company expects to have 200 GNC-powered units in Argentina by the end of the year. Currently, GNC buses represent 12% of the bus fleet in Buenos Aires. For instance, Line 109, operated by Metropol, is incorporating 10 GNC buses from King Long and plans to add 40 more, aiming to fully renew its fleet with GNC vehicles soon. GNC buses offer reduced emissions compared to traditional diesel engines.