The Chilean government has announced a package of economic measures as part of the 'Chile Moves Forward' (Chile Sale Adelante) plan to freeze public transport fares throughout 2026. The initiative aims to mitigate the impact of rising operating costs to ensure they are not passed on to passengers.
Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Louis de Grange, confirmed that the strategy will protect current prices for adults, seniors, and students. These measures will apply to both the Metropolitan Region and various other regions across the country.
“We are implementing a special roadmap to offset rising costs and ensure service continuity,” the Secretary of State explained during the plan's presentation.
Subsidies and Operational Support
The program includes direct financial transfers for various modes of transport, including urban and rural buses, EFE trains, taxis, shared taxis, and school transport. The goal is to stabilize operations for more than 1,700 active contracts nationwide.
For operators facing rising costs, the plan offers fuel incentives of up to $100,000 monthly for a six-month period. Additionally, specific subsidies will be allocated for student and senior fares, which will be adjusted based on geographic location.
Resource allocation will also extend to services in remote areas, ensuring the continued operation of ferries and hard-to-reach routes. This aims to ensure that connectivity is not disrupted by inflationary pressures on essential supplies.
The fare freeze will include rail networks such as the Biotren, Merval, and the Temuco-Victoria and Llanquihue-Puerto Montt lines. The Ministry of Transport has launched the official 'Chile Moves Forward' portal, allowing operators to apply through a digital and transparent process.
