Court annuls resolution creating Barranquilla's Sibus, finding it lacked required studies

The Administrative Tribunal of the Atlantic has nullified a resolution that established the institutional framework for Barranquilla's intelligent public transport system, known as Sibus. The court determined that the system was implemented without fulfilling the technical and financial studies mandated by Colombian legislation. This decision invalidates Metropolitan Resolution 197, issued on October 4, 2021, which laid the groundwork for a centralized collection system, fleet control, and technological platforms for public transport in Barranquilla and its surrounding municipalities.

The ruling overturns a previous decision from November 13, 2025, by the Twelfth Administrative Court of Barranquilla, which had initially dismissed the lawsuit filed by transport companies Trasalianco and Sobusa S.A. The Tribunal found that while the resolution claimed to only set an institutional framework, it effectively allowed for the system's implementation without the necessary prior technical and financial analyses. Current regulations require such projects to be supported by economic viability studies and approved by the National Planning Department (DNP), a requirement the court found was not met.

The annulled resolution was part of a broader effort to modernize public transport in Barranquilla. The Sibus project aimed to introduce electronic fare collection, bus operation monitoring tools, and real-time information platforms for users. The goal was to enhance operational management, improve service oversight, and facilitate technological integration within the public transport network. The Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla has stated it will pursue legal actions following the Tribunal's decision.