Loja Still Has No Urban Buses After Fare Hike Plan Is Shelved

Loja's urban bus crisis is still unresolved.

Expreso reports that the Concejo Municipal de Loja archived an ordinance that would have raised the urban bus fare from 30 cents to 36 cents. The fare will remain at 30 cents.

The Vote Did Not Restart Service

The resolution was approved with seven votes in favor, three against, one abstention and one insistence, according to Expreso.

But the Consorcio de Transporte Urbano Ciudad de Loja ratified the indefinite suspension of service, arguing that current economic conditions make operation unsustainable without losses.

Mayor Diana Guayanay said the observations to the fare proposal were based on legal and technical criteria. Expreso reports that she said access to mobility is a fundamental right connected to work, education and other essential activities.

Who Is Being Affected

Expreso reports that the shutdown has mainly hit students, merchants and workers who depend on urban buses every day.

One downtown worker, Estefania Cueva, said people who cannot pay taxis every day are in a desperate situation because they need to work. University student Luis Alberto Morocho said some classmates arrive late or cannot move around at all because not everyone has a private vehicle.

The report also says lawyer Juan Diego Samaniego filed a protection action with a precautionary measure against the transport consortium, seeking immediate restoration of the bus service.

What This Means for Expats

For expats in Loja or nearby retirement communities, this is a practical mobility issue. Medical appointments, errands, employee commutes and connections into the city may be affected while the dispute continues.

If you rely on public buses in Loja, confirm service before making plans and budget for taxi or private transport as a temporary fallback.

Source: Expreso