Mexico City Public Transport Operators Deem Fare Hike Insufficient, Demand Subsidies
Mexico City, February 8, 2026 – Public transport operators in Mexico City are urging the capital government for subsidies to ensure adequate service, stating that a recent 1.50 peso fare increase is insufficient to cover unit maintenance costs and improve driver working conditions. The operators emphasize that, due to increases of up to 300 percent in the price of inputs such as tires and spare parts, many concessionaires resort to second-hand parts, directly affecting transport safety and quality.
Inadequate Fare Increase Amid Soaring Costs
“The increase is not enough for real corrective maintenance. One would like to install new spare parts, but it is not possible. Everything hurts the units,” said Ricardo Chávez, a concessionaire with decades of experience in the sector. Currently, a new tire for a microbus can cost around three thousand pesos, leading many to opt for cheaper, retreaded tires. This practice is widespread, causing the progressive deterioration of the fleet.
This situation is compounded by a drop in demand, with units transporting an average of 250 to 300 passengers daily, far below what is needed to reach financial equilibrium. “The fare has been outdated for more than 20 years. It does not cover the real costs of operation, maintenance, or unit renewal,” creating a vicious cycle of insufficient income, limited maintenance, deteriorating service, and loss of users.
Lack of Investment in Training and Fleet Renewal
The tariff lag also prevents investment in formal training for drivers. While structured companies can send operators to courses and certifications, the “man-truck” model means drivers live day-to-day and cannot stop working without losing income. “If there isn’t enough to properly maintain the unit, much less to professionalize the operator,” noted Eduardo Gutiérrez Silva.
He added that only real profitability would allow vehicles to be renewed every five years, the period when most parts reach the end of their useful life. With the current fare, fleet renewal is unfeasible. “You cannot expect that by raising the fare today, there will be new buses in 15 days. Financial stability for years is needed to even save for a down payment,” he explained.
Operators Propose Technical Fare and Government Subsidies
Given this scenario, operators propose moving towards a technical fare, based on real operating costs, maintenance, salaries, and fleet renewal, complemented by government subsidies. The scheme would include subsidies through electronic cards, allowing users to pay an accessible fare while the government covers the real difference in service cost, as is already the case in other public systems in the city. “If there is no subsidy, the model will not work. The ‘man-truck’ model will disappear, with or without us.”
Source: https://www.jornada.com.mx/noticia/2026/02/08/capital/transportistas-de-cdmx-rechazan-aumento-de-150-pesos-a-tarifa-es-insuficiente-dicen
