Costa Rican officials approve fare hikes on 676 bus routes

The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) approved fare increases for 676 bus routes across the country that will enter into force this week.

The decree was approved and sent for publication in the official newspaper La Gaceta last Friday. The fare hike likely will take place no later than Wednesday. On Friday, a private citizen filed an appeal before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court to prevent the increase.

According to ARESEP, the hike is the result of calculations that takes into account operation costs such as fuel, salaries and administrative expenses.

With the new hike, 71 percent of bus routes will have higher fares ranging from ₡10-₡100 ($ 0.02-$0.20). Another 13 percent will have increases of ₡100-₡200 ($0.20-$0.40), while 8.3 percent of companies will have adjustments of ₡100 to ₡500 ($0.20-$1).

Also, 121 routes did not receive an increase, and 198 routes will see fares decrease, as they received increases in October and November, ARESEP officials stated.