The National Government issued a harsh warning: the Nation’s resources to co-finance the new fleet of electric buses in Bogotá are in “intensive care”, due to the recent increase in the Transmilenio fare, which for 2026 was set at $3,550, a figure that the Minister of Labor, Antonio Sanguino, described as “irresponsible”.
Through his social networks, Sanguino attacked Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, ensuring that raising the fare in this way not only hits the workers’ pockets (despite the 24% increase in the minimum wage), but will scare away users of the system.
According to the Minister of Labor, this decision puts at risk the money transfer commitments that the Petro Government had agreed upon so that the city would have a “zero emissions” fleet.
“The commitment of the Nation is put at risk due to an unjustified measure”said the official.
The Government has already activated a “magnifying glass” with the Ministries of Finance and Transportation, together with the Superintendencies of Industry and Commerce and of Transportation, to review whether the increase is legal or if it is an “excessive” charge as a result of the adjustment to the minimum wage.
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Sanguino maintains that the salary increase should not be the excuse to make public transportation more expensive, while the mayor’s office defends that it is necessary to cover the financial gap in the system.
According to projections from the Ministry of Finance and Transmilenio Management, the accumulated debt and operating deficit for 2026 exceed $3.2 billion pesos.
Mayor Galán has reiterated that without the adjustment to $3,550, the deficit could swallow resources destined for health, education and security. “It is not a popular decision, but it is a responsible decision so that the system does not collapse and stop providing the service,” They defend from the Liévano Palace.
With this panorama, the future of sustainable mobility in Bogotá remains up in the air. If the Government decides to close the tap of resources, the renewal of old buses for electric ones would come to a screeching halt.
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