Public transport fares across the capital and Greater Buenos Aires will rise dramatically in the first quarter of 2019, after the national Transport Secretariat on Thursday announced further reductions in subsidies.
Standard public bus fares will soar from 13 pesos (US$ 0.34) to 18 pesos (US$ 0.47) in the first quarter, following a 117-percent average price increase during 2018.
Fares on train and underground services will see similar increases, Transport Secretary Guillermo Dietrich announced during a press conference on Thursday.
"The price update will begin on January 12 with a two-peso increase for standard bus fares; followed in February by a 1.5 peso rise; and containing in March with another 1.5 pesos", he said.
Metropolitan train services will rise by up to 3.5 pesos per fare in the first quarter. The price hikes will vary according to train lines.
Fares on the popular Mitre, Sarmiento and San Martin lines are scheduled for increases of 1.25 pesos in January; 1.25 pesos in February and one peso in March. On the Roca, Belgrano Sur and Urquiza lines, passengers will pay 75 peso cents more every month from January to March; while commuters on the Belgrano Norte line will pay one peso more in January, 50 peso cents more in February, and an additonal 50 peso centre in March.
Fares for the capital's underground, or "subte", will rise by 4.5 pesos from April to May, the Transport Secretary announced.
The government will maintain subsidised fares, as well as benefits for commuters who use multiple forms of transports on any given day.
-TIMES
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