Authorities have eliminated a 50% discount [1] for SUBE card users who combine train and subway trips in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
The change increases daily commuting costs for thousands of workers and students [3] who travel from the suburbs into the city. This financial burden falls primarily on those relying on integrated transit to reach their destinations.
The policy change took effect Aug. 1, 2024 [2]. Previously, the Red SUBE system applied the discount to the second leg of a journey when a passenger transferred from a train to the subway system.
This measure comes amid ongoing disputes between the national government and the government of the City of Buenos Aires regarding public transportation fare policies [1]. The tension between the two jurisdictions has led to shifts in how transit benefits are administered and funded.
The removal of the benefit specifically targets those entering the City of Buenos Aires from the province of Buenos Aires [2]. These commuters often face the longest travel times and are now required to pay the full fare for both segments of their trip.
While the national government has not provided a detailed public justification for the timing of the removal, the move aligns with broader efforts to adjust transit subsidies. The elimination of the transfer benefit marks a significant shift in the accessibility of the integrated transport network for the metropolitan workforce [1].
“Authorities have eliminated a 50% discount for SUBE card users who combine train and subway trips.”
The removal of the transfer discount reflects a breakdown in coordination between national and municipal authorities over transit funding. By shifting the cost of the second leg of the journey to the user, the government is effectively reducing its subsidy burden while increasing the cost of living for the suburban working class, potentially impacting labor mobility into the city center.
