Buenos Aires Public Transport Fares Surge as City and Province Implement Steep Hikes

Commuters across the Buenos Aires metropolitan area are grappling with a significant increase in public transportation costs as new tariffs for buses, subways, and tolls take effect. The City of Buenos Aires (CABA) has implemented a 4.3% hike, while the Province of Buenos Aires has rolled out a much steeper 14.8% adjustment, creating a complex and fragmented fare landscape for millions of daily travelers.

In the capital, the increase is directly tied to October’s 2.3% inflation rate, plus an additional two percentage points, as part of a broader strategy to phase out subsidies. This adjustment pushes the minimum bus fare within city limits to $593.52 and a single subway ride to $1,206. Tolls on major city highways are also rising, with peak-hour rates on the Perito Moreno and 25 de Mayo autopistas climbing to $4,912.67. City officials justify the increases by pointing to the significant gap between revenue and operational costs, noting that current bus fares cover only 70% of service expenses, while the subway’s coverage is slightly better at 76%.

The administration of Mayor Jorge Macri is framing the fare update as essential for funding a modernization program for over 1,600 bus units. This initiative includes installing new validators compatible with credit cards, debit cards, and mobile phones, alongside security cameras and route optimizations. There is also a strategic push toward cleaner energy, with incentives for operators to incorporate natural gas or electric buses. The city has already deployed distinctive yellow electric units in tourist-heavy areas like the Microcentro and San Telmo, and private companies like Metropol are following suit, announcing the purchase of 150 gas-powered buses.

To soften the blow of the subway fare hike, the city government has ensured at least one turnstile per station accepts credit and debit cards in addition to the standard SUBE card. Contactless payment options, including mobile wallets with NFC and QR technology, are also being promoted. According to operator Emova, these alternative payment methods now account for 30% of transactions, as users leverage bank promotions and virtual wallet discounts. Frequent rider discounts remain, with fares decreasing progressively for those who make more than 20 trips per month using the same payment method.

Provincial Fares Diverge

Meanwhile, in the Province of Buenos Aires, the 14.8% fare increase applies exclusively to bus lines that operate entirely within its territory and do not enter the capital. This move marks a significant policy shift, as the provincial government decouples its fare structure from national and city rates. The adjustment combines an extraordinary 10% increase with the existing monthly update mechanism tied to inflation plus two percentage points. The result is a minimum fare of $658.44 for trips up to three kilometers, escalating to $902.73 for journeys over 27 kilometers.

This new provincial framework heavily incentivizes the registration of SUBE travel cards. Passengers using an unregistered card face substantially higher costs, with the minimum fare starting at $1,046.92 and reaching up to $1,435.34. A social tariff remains in place for vulnerable groups, offering discounted fares that range from $296.30 to $406.23 depending on the distance. Provincial authorities stated the new structure is necessary to rebalance the finances of transport companies struggling with rising fuel prices, currency volatility, and maintenance costs.

The Argentine Association of Automotive Transport Entrepreneurs (AAETA) lauded the provincial government’s decision to set its own rates, viewing it as a step toward greater stability and dialogue. The association acknowledged the measure’s inconvenience for passengers but deemed it essential for the continuity of service. However, the move has raised alarms with the Unión Tranviarios Automotor (UTA), the transport workers’ union. The union warned of potential difficulties in paying November salaries and the annual bonus, holding both the government and transport companies responsible and cautioning that a strike is possible if wages are not paid in full and on time.

Despite these sharp increases, an analysis from the Interdisciplinary Institute of Political Economy (IIEP) highlights that fares in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area remain among the lowest in the country. In comparison, a single bus ticket costs $1,895 in Bariloche, $1,720 in Córdoba, and $1,580 in Rosario, underscoring the deep regional disparities in transportation costs across Argentina.

The new, multi-layered tariff system underscores a transition period for public transport financing in Argentina’s largest urban center. While operators see the fare adjustments as a necessary correction to sustain operations, the divergent policies and lingering labor tensions indicate that achieving long-term stability in the sector remains a formidable challenge.