Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Primicias reports Quito is drafting rules for bus operators to raise the fare from $0.35 to $0.40. One proposed condition is a second mandatory safety inspection for more than 3,300 city buses.
Primicias reports that Quito's AMT resolved its payment-order system failures on May 27, 2026. The six vehicle review centers will keep extended hours through Saturday, May 30, to process delayed review and registration work.
El Universo reports that Quito has an INAMHI weather warning through 17:00 on Friday, May 29, with medium temperatures of 22-24 C and high levels of 25-27 C expected in parts of the metro district.
President Daniel Noboa said the Quito Metro expansion will start during this period, while El Comercio reports the La Ofelia extension remains in definitive studies and still needs total-financing authorization from the national government.
Expreso reports that Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport won Airport of the Year in the 2026 NCE Airports Awards, along with three additional recognitions for aviation infrastructure technology, social value and sustainable construction.
Quito's Pico y Placa restriction applies on weekdays from 06:00 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 20:00. El Comercio reports the first violation is $69, the second is $115 and a third violation reaches $230.
El Comercio reports that Quito's seven main monitored crime indicators fell 25% between January 1 and May 9 compared with 2025. Robbery against people remains the most common issue, and neighborhood leaders still warn about underreporting and reactive policing.
Primicias reports that Quito canceled the public-private partnership initiative for Ruta Viva and will keep the airport corridor under municipal administration. The road connects Quito with Mariscal Sucre airport and the eastern valleys, including Cumbayá and Tumbaco.
Two vehicle dealerships in Quito's Iñaquito sector were closed after complaints from buyers who said they paid about $2,500 and never received cars. Expreso reports victims have filed complaints with the Fiscalía.
Aeropuerto de Cancún acquired the Brazilian partner's stake in Quiport, gaining indirect control of Mariscal Sucre. Ecuador's competition regulator approved the deal.
Road rehabilitation work means lane closures on two sections of northern Quito's main highway starting May 7. Central lanes stay open, but if you commute through Calderón or Carapungo, plan ahead.
After Monday's paralysis that stranded 1.5 million commuters, Quito's blue buses resumed normal service Wednesday. But the underlying dispute is heading to formal negotiations on May 13, and a fare increase to /bin/zsh.65 is on the table.
