The Public Transport Panel of Experts announced on Thursday a 20-peso increase in the adult fare for public transport in Santiago – subsidized bus services, Metro and Tren Nos-Estación Central – which will take effect on Sunday, July 14.
Meanwhile, the rate for students and senior citizens will increase by 10 pesos from the same day, the committee said in a statement.
On the other hand, the smart rate or Maximum Monthly Amount, as the expense that passengers must accumulate to obtain free and unlimited trips until the following month is called, will reach 40 thousand pesos with the latest calculation of the table.
According to the president of the Panel of Experts, Claudio Agostini, “macroeconomic variables such as inflation, the dollar, diesel and labor have had fairly systematic and continuous increases throughout this year, and that has increased the costs of the system.”
The economist stressed that, as a result of the previous freeze on fares, “public transport costs 240 pesos less than it really should, and as part of our role on the panel, which is to safeguard the financial balance of the system – that the income allows financing the costs – we have determined that as of July, it is appropriate to apply a 20 peso increase.”
They also explained that due to a freeze on fares, a difference of $240 has accumulated between the fare and the actual price that residents of the capital are paying. This amount is financed through the Public Transport subsidy.
The latest increase agreed by the panel came into effect at the beginning of February, when fares also rose by up to 20 pesos.
Public Transport Director Paola Tapia explained that the measure is “necessary to responsibly finance the public transport system made up of buses, the Metro and trains.”
This is what the new rates will look like
Following this decision, the fare increased by $20 for adults, while payment with a National Student Card (TNE) increased by $10, as did the rate for senior citizens.
Now, the bus fare is $730, the metro fare is $830 during peak hours, $750 during off-peak hours, and $670 during low hours. The cost for high school and college students is now $240, and the integrated fare for senior citizens is now $360.
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