Cusco Maintains University Bus Fare at S/0.50 After Student Protest
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Cusco students protested against a proposed increase in university bus fares.
- Following clashes with police, transport authorities agreed to maintain the fare at S/ 0.50.
- The agreement also includes a general fare of S/ 1.20, with transport companies needing to provide a technical study for future adjustments.
In Cusco, the unwavering determination of university students has once again proven to be a powerful force. Following a significant protest that saw confrontations with police and the deployment of tear gas, the UNSAAC students achieved a crucial victory: the university bus fare will remain at S/ 0.50. This outcome, reached after intense dialogue convened by the Municipality of Cusco, underscores the students' commitment to affordability and their willingness to fight for it. The transport authorities, initially intending to raise the fare to S/ 0.60 citing rising fuel costs, have been compelled to back down. While the general fare has been set at S/ 1.20, the key concession is the preservation of the student rate. The agreement also mandates that transport companies must present a technical study within 15 days to justify any future fare hikes, a move that brings greater transparency and accountability to the process. This victory is a testament to the collective power of student movements in Peru, ensuring that essential services remain accessible.
The university and school fares will remain at S/ 0.50 (original price), while the general fare will be set at S/ 1.20, which represents an increase of S/ 0.20.
Originally published by La Repรบblica in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.