The Chilean government has announced new measures as part of its "Chile Moves Forward" (Chile Sale Adelante) plan to ensure public transit fare stability throughout 2026. The initiative aims to offset rising operational costs for transit providers to prevent these increases from being passed directly on to passengers.
Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Louis de Grange, confirmed that these actions will protect current fares for adults, seniors, and students. The measures will apply to both the Metropolitan Region and the rest of the country.
“We are implementing a special program to offset rising costs and ensure service continuity,” the Secretary of State explained.
Support Measures and Subsidies
The plan includes various economic compensation mechanisms for a wide range of services. Beneficiaries include urban and rural buses, EFE urban trains, taxis, shared taxis (colectivos), and school transportation.
To assist operators facing rising costs, the program offers fuel incentives of up to $100,000 monthly for a six-month period. Additionally, specific subsidies have been designed for student and senior fares, which will be adjusted based on geographic location.
The program also prioritizes connectivity in remote areas. The Ministry of Transportation will provide support for ferry services and hard-to-reach routes to ensure that more than 1,700 active contracts can maintain their current rates.
The price freeze will extend to key rail services, including the Biotren, Merval, and the Temuco-Victoria and Llanquihue-Puerto Montt lines. The administration's primary goal is to protect national mobility and connectivity against economic fluctuations.
Interested operators and users can find details on these measures and apply through the official "Chile Moves Forward" portal, managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications.