Transport Secretary Juan Pablo Schiavi reiterated today that the Government will not increase the price of bus and train fares by a large amount, but further admitted that they are looking at applying “differential rates” for those with less economic resources.
In addition to this, the Transport Secretary said “the SUBE card will be the only system in place for travelling” on public transport in the city and province of Buenos Aires.
According to Schiavi, the increase in the cost of transport within the city areas of Buenos Aires is something “we have ruled out completely. There are no plans for massive increases in fares because there is no need. We aren’t working on that right now.”
The government official made his statements during a radio interview today, and further added that, “the government has subsidised public transport and we are going to continue to do so, except changing the format slightly. Instead of subsidising companies or large transport firms, we want to subsidise people.”
Schiavi went on to say, “in order to do so, we are looking at differential tariffs” for low-income workers.
The Government’s statements come just one week into the new fare rates put into place by the City Government, which have caused tensions between union workers, the public and city government officials. The Subway rate was bumped up from $1.10 per journey to $2.50 for all passengers.
Fuente: Buenos Aires Herald