Bus fares could spike to $4

[JWB]

Here we have proof of these newspapers yellow journalism

Clarín is trying to generate a social panic about the subsidies.

Front page with a big bold title:

"Alert within the transporting business owners' by the removing of subsidies"

Source

Be alert!.....don't believe what those newspapers want you to think.

Oh damn, hate it when they actually report real news. Whether it is going to actually happen or not doesn't matter, there are HIGH level talks to do so...that is news!!!

EXAMPLE: In the U.S. Moodys is saying the U.S. might get another downgrade...MIGHT. Still, it is important news and SHOULD be reported.

Government is cutting many subsidies (1st thing they have done that I agree with).

Maybe you should check online to see what the definition of "news" is...maybe a brush up on reporting what is going on in the country.

 

[Stafford]

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that officials did not announce a lift on transport subsidies as I had originally stated, rather that was just media hype. I have been trying to sort through past news reports to find out. Seems the announcement was for all public subsidies, but no specific mention of transport.

This is what I found:
"When questioned on the transport sector, in particular buses and trains, De Vido indicated that “we are moving forward the universal use of the SUBE card.”

But by lifting all public subsidies, I imagine that includes transport, right?

Also, universal use of the SUBE card would mean the old machines would no longer be needed (someone also mentioned in the thread that the machines wouldn't be able to handle the increase in coin volume.

I suppose the SUBE card may force honesty in the system as there would be a solid paper trail.

 

[sesamosinsal]

I suppose the SUBE card may force honesty in the system as there would be a solid paper trail.

The SUBE card was purposely implemented for this reason. I'm sure many of us have taken the subway free at night because the boleteria no longer wants to sell us a ticket. There's no incentive for them to make money because they know at the end of the day that they can lie about the quantity of the passengers and get their money anyway. Why won't Clarin report this fact?

The government knows that millions and millions of pesos are robbed every year. From Pagina 12:

"En la actualidad los subsidios al transporte, que superan los 12 mil millones de pesos anuales, se orientan a las empresas. La liquidación se realiza por declaración jurada. Es decir que el Estado paga lo que la empresa reclama. Los colectivos reciben un subsidio que representa el 70 por ciento de sus ingresos; porcentaje igual recibe el subte. En el caso del ferrocarril el subsidio significa el 80 por ciento de sus ingresos. En diversos controles se han encontrado pedidos de subsidio por viajes no realizados o por más pasajeros de los que viajaron. El transporte más difícil de controlar es el de colectivos, que además es el que más fondos recibe por subsidios: 7500 millones de pesos al año. La Secretaría de Transporte ha detectado una cantidad importante de viajes de noche que no se realizan, pero las empresas igual reclaman el subsidio. La estimación oficial es que el nuevo sistema ahorrará aproximadamente 2000 millones de pesos anuales por mayor transparencia."

So, $2.8 billion USD are spent per year on subsidizing public transport. (I believe this number includes all forms of transport, including national flights for Argentine residents.) Metrovias and the various bus lines receive those funds through a sworn declaration -- in other words, the government says, "We'll take your word for it." With SUBE, the government expects to save $469 million USD, which would otherwise have been stolen by the Subway lines and colectivos. That's a lot of dough.

I can't agree more with the government that they should be in the business of subsidizing those who need the subsidy and not the companies. The only problem with this is how do you determine who deserves the subsidy and who doesn't? I don't think the answer is as clear as we'd like to think it is.

 

[Lucas]

What bradlyhale said is spot on, what bothers me is why some people can't see it, it's so clear, why for some it's so hard to comprehend is beyond me.

 

[puvenlee]

Criticize if you may, but in my opinion the bus fare in BA is out of line with the rest of the country. The interior has been subsidizing you all to the determent of local transport systems.

In Cordoba, one local bus ride is $2.50, and $5 for a longer local bus ride or for the nicer bus. This is expected to rise to $3 and $6 by the end of this year.

Our buses and roads are in much worse condition than BA's, and a subway is only a glimmer in a transportation planners eye.

I think the bus fares are cheap here in BA. because the buses are nice and the fare isn't really too much. make it 2-3 pesos and I am happy to pay it.

but the subte on the other hand... I wouldn't pay more than 1.2. It's 'fast' but it sucks.