Breaking news, politics, economy, visas, safety, and lifestyle updates for expats living in Ecuador.
Guayaquil's transit agency says urban operators cannot raise fares yet, despite notices claiming a 50-cent fare would begin July 30. The current authorized fare remains 30 cents while vehicle reviews are prepared.
A proposal to raise Quito's bus fare from 35 to 40 cents on January 1, 2027 drew criticism from council members and 23 citizens. The debate now turns on service quality, transparency, and compensation for operators.
Quito says its free public bike system will begin operating between July 28 and July 30. The new QuitoBici network includes 250 bicycles, 25 stations, GPS tracking, and links to Metro, Trole, and Ecovia routes.
Work begins July 27 on Avenida 12 de Octubre between Cristobal Colon and Tarqui. The 70-day project affects the center-north of Quito, with alternate routes planned for private vehicles and public transport.
Repaving work starts July 24 and runs through August 25, affecting a major northern Quito access corridor in two phases.
Quito is debating a transit ordinance that would set an urban bus fare of USD 0.40 from January 1, 2027, subject to council approval. The proposal also outlines rural variable fares and a USD 0.45 electric-bus fare.
Central Guayaquil road closures are in effect for July civic events, including a full closure of 9 de Octubre and a Malecón closure through Saturday morning. Travelers are being advised to plan ahead and use alternate routes.
Cumbayá’s regulated parking system has 674 spaces while an estimated 30,000 vehicles use parking throughout a typical day. Local officials have proposed a parking structure with more than 480 spaces, but say they have not yet received a response from Quito’s municipality.
A truck overturned in the Las Bromelias sector on the road to Nayón, leaving one person injured and closing traffic in both directions near UDLA’s Ekopark campus. Authorities were working to remove the truck and restore circulation.
The Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil has developed accessibility tools for students with visual disabilities, including a specialized workstation and keyboard. The project has helped five students complete their degrees.
A depressed passage at Nazacota Puento, between 6 de Diciembre and Galo Plaza Lasso, is closed for 10 days. AMT says the main avenues remain open, but drivers should expect a pinch point around the work zone.
Durán’s garbage collection service was set to resume on July 14 after nearly three weeks of suspension. The dispute involved a municipal debt above $9.7 million and about 350 tons of daily waste.
