Bogota's Transmilenio Suffers 700 Million Peso Daily Loss Due to Fare Dodgers

Bogota's Transmilenio System Faces Millions in Losses Due to Fare Evasion Bogota, Colombia is grappling with a major challenge: widespread fare evasion on its Transmilenio bus system. Noticias Caracol reports that over 500,000 people evade fares daily, resulting in a staggering loss of more than 700 million pesos for the city. This represents a significant drain on public resources and raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the system. The report shows various methods of evasion, from people jumping over turnstiles to squeezing through side doors. Natalia Tinjacá, Transmilenio's Technical Director of Security, states, "The main behaviors that are growing in terms of evasion are evasion through side doors and through the curves of the portals." This highlights the challenges faced by authorities in preventing fare evasion. Citizens interviewed express frustration and concern. One resident, Claudia Beltrán, comments, "That's an abuse! Everyone should pay the fare. I don't understand why people have to jump the turnstiles." This reflects the public's sentiment regarding the unfairness of the situation. Transmilenio is actively working to address the problem using AI and security cameras. However, the scale of the issue and its financial impact remain significant challenges for the city. The situation underscores the need for improved public awareness campaigns and potentially stricter enforcement measures to ensure the long-term viability of Bogota's public transportation system.