The City government called a public hearing for December 22 to discuss new subway and Premetro fares. The proposal would raise the general fare to 2,104 pesos during 2027 and apply a monthly formula equal to inflation plus an additional 2% for twelve months.
The plan was formalized through Decree 390/26 and fits Jorge Macri's policy of narrowing the gap between fares and operating costs. The new rate would take effect after final publication. The hearing is mandatory but not binding, so the executive retains final authority.
The most significant element is monthly indexation. Inflation plus 2% avoids large one-off jumps but can generate persistent increases above inflation. Users gain predictability, but fares may rise faster than incomes that are adjusted less frequently.
Jorge Macri will need to explain how much of the system's cost is covered by fares, how much the City subsidizes and what subsidy targets it has. Labor, energy, maintenance, rolling stock, investment and passenger volumes should also be disclosed.
Service quality belongs in the hearing. Sustained fare increases may be defensible if tied to frequency, cleanliness, safety, accessibility and investment. Automatic increases without better service would look more like a fiscal mechanism than a transport policy.
Premetro fares and discounts also require specific treatment. Social fares, passes, transfers and frequent-user discounts determine who actually bears the adjustment and can matter as much as the headline fare.
Monthly indexation also raises institutional questions. A formula should include review clauses, caps or suspension mechanisms if inflation shifts abruptly or the service suffers major disruptions.
December 22 will be the moment to discuss numbers and conditions. Jorge Macri's government needs to show that the increase supports sustainability and service improvement rather than simply filling a fiscal gap.
