More Expensive Fares, Fewer Buses: Why Travel in Buenos Aires is Getting Worse

The daily commute in Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas (AMBA) has become a daily ordeal for millions, as the public transport system, particularly the bus network, continues its silent deterioration. Passengers face overcrowded buses, lengthy queues at stops, and increasingly unbearable waiting times. The frustrating paradox is that while ticket prices rise, the quality of service plummets, painting a grim picture of a system in decline.

Official figures paint a stark reality: in the last six months alone, the number of operational buses has dropped by 8.9%, translating to 1,650 fewer units on the road. This alarming trend, compiled by the IIEP based on National Transport Secretariat data, doesn't even account for the further reduction seen in recent weeks due to conflicts between bus companies and the government over fuel costs, ticket prices, and subsidies. This has led to days where bus movement has fallen by as much as 20%.

The roots of this crisis run deep, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which altered transportation and work habits. Since November 2019, the operational bus fleet in AMBA has shrunk by 12.2%, with 2,359 fewer buses circulating. The recent surge in fuel prices has only intensified the problem, leading to fewer buses, demands from companies, and growing passenger discontent.

From our perspective at La Nación, this is not merely an issue of operational logistics; it reflects a systemic failure. The uncoordinated policies across different government levels, coupled with the financial pressures on companies and evolving urban dynamics, have created a perfect storm. The government's austerity measures, particularly the reduction in transport subsidies, as exemplified by President Javier Milei's campaign rhetoric with a chainsaw, are directly impacting the service. Passengers are left bearing the brunt, paying more for a service that is demonstrably worse. This situation demands urgent and coordinated action to reverse the decline and restore a functional public transport system for the citizens of Buenos Aires.

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The official numbers show a reduction in the operational fleet.