One of the two bus companies that provides the passenger transport service between La Plata and the federal capital has paralyzed the service since yesterday to claim funds that, it maintains, are owed by the National Government. The stoppage generates complications for thousands of passengers and an escalation in the conflict, with a warning that the concession will be withdrawn. The measure of force, as indicated, continues today, with which another difficult day is expected for those who want to travel.
After the announcement on Monday night, the consequences of the stoppage of the buses began to be seen yesterday morning, when thousands of users of the City bound for the federal capital had to improvise, getting on the buses of “Misión Buenos Aires”, the line that makes a similar route. Although in the point-to-point service between cities (via the Highway), take the Capital towards the Center and Once, instead of going through “el bajo” and towards Retiro like La Nueva Metropol. At the same time, this firm has stops in Centenario and Belgrano for other services.
Long lines and long delays were the scenario for those who went to the Terminal with the intention of traveling to Buenos Aires. “This complicates a lot. It’s very slow. There are not many buses, “lamented Patricia. “I had to arrive at 10 and I left home at 8:30. I already warned that I will not be on schedule, “said Roxana, another from La Plata who has to wait to get on a bus at mid-morning.
The New Metropol, argued its decision on the “lack of resources to operate” and the “continuous failure of the Ministry of Transport of the Nation to a judicial measure favorable to Metropol”, referring to the transfers of state subsidies for the number of passengers that transports. Thus, it decided to paralyze the services of lines 65, 90, 151, 194, 195 and will progressively reduce it by another nine due to lack of resources,” according to reports.
resource limit
The company clarified that it stopped operations “after having paid 100% of the March salaries of the more than 4,000 workers and having reached the critical limit of resources. The company explains that the origin of the conflict lies in the “unjustified withdrawal” for 16 months of 15% of income. Said situation, the company explains in depth, “was taken to Justice through a precautionary measure and has a favorable ruling ratified in several instances, which has been disobeyed by the Ministry of Transportation of the Nation, depriving the company of resources that are essential to cover the totality of their demand, as expressly recognized in the judicial rulings”.
The Transport portfolio responded to this that “in the pandemic, companies were supported as if they had transferred the same number of passengers from the pre-pandemic, even if they did not have them, so that the essentials can work. Once that stage ended, the number of passengers decreased in public transport”, from 4.6 million passengers in the metropolitan area to 3.7 million.
? We report the total interruption of service on lines 65, 90, 151, 176, 194, 195, 228, 237, 276, 310, 322, 326, 327, 336, 365, 386, 392, 448, 503, 504, 507, 510 and 670 as of 00:00 on Wednesday, April 12, due to lack of basic supplies to operate, (continues)
— Metropol (@Metropol_ar) April 11, 2023
According to a source from that portfolio, “Metropol went to court to say that they have to continue charging with the photo from before, something that no other company did.” Then, it was indicated that the case is pending.
This measure has a close precedent. At the end of last month, the same firm reduced services on the 195 and other lines in Greater Buenos Aires. He claimed then, for delays in the transfer of compensation. At that time there were also no “Mission” buses, but it was clarified that it was due to problems replenishing glass and spare parts.
According to La Nueva Metropol, the sector is also waiting for an unpaid debt of subsidies for more than 24,000 million pesos.
The National Commission for the Regulation of Transport (CNRT), the control body of the provision (of the Ministry of Transport), ordered the company to comply with the provision “under warning of applying the maximum sanctions provided for in current regulations.” That, it was indicated, can reach the expiration of the concession if 5 consecutive days or 10 alternate days of stoppage are detected in the year.
