Transport Secretary, Juan Pablo Schiavi.
Buenos Aires City Mayor Mauricio Macri questioned today the transferring of the subway system from federal power to the City government.
According to the handover, the City would be responsible for entire subway network including the Premetro tram, and the control of the service’s tariffs.
Though an agreement was finally reached on the first days of January, the City government and the National government have yet to come into terms over the handover.
Today, Macri questioned the transferring causing the national government to react to his statements.
“In 90 days the handover comes into effect, but the unilateral decisions taken by the national government don’t make things any easier. During this time, we are going to evaluate whether the handover is feasible or not. However, if the national administration doesn’t show any goodwill or any intention of working as a team, it might never happen”, the Mayor warned.
The government regretted Macri’s remarks and pointed responsibility to the City administration.
Transport Secretary Juan Pablo Schiavi told reporters that «The questioning of the Subway handover demonstrates Macri’s total lack of responsibility», and added, «It’s unbelievable to see him, who’s always questioning the existance of legal security in Argentina, going back on his own words.»
Likewise, Schiavi spiced things up «It seems the problem here is that some advisors of the Mayor must have told him that the Subway business was not that profitable.»
Furthermore, the official remarked that the national government «is not going to subsidy anything that’s not related to specific subway like reforms and/or works. We are not handing any government money so the City administration use it to finance Macri’s PRO party propaganda campaigns”
Schiavi also criticized the Mayor’s decision to raise the Subway tariffs and then come on stage to question the handover.
“The only one-way decision here was the 127 percent Subway ticket hike, and it was taken by Macri and no one else. He raised the fare to 2.50 pesos made good money and now plays dubious on whether he will accept the management of the system or not. A public servant can’t play with people, at least not if you are thinking to run for president like he is.”
buenosairesherald.com