A proposed public transport fare increase in Jalisco has drawn formal opposition from the federal legislature. Senator Carlos Lomelí submitted a request through the Permanent Commission of Congress urging the state government to suspend the hike, which is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026. The measure would raise fares from 9.50 to 14 pesos per ride, with a partial subsidy offered only to users of a new electronic fare card.
The senator’s appeal centers on concerns over transparency, equity, and service quality. He criticized the decision-making process of the Technical Tariff Committee, which reportedly convened during the December holiday period without broad public engagement or a comprehensive social impact assessment. Lomelí argued that such procedural opacity undermines public trust and fails to account for the lived realities of daily commuters in the Guadalajara metropolitan area.
Jalisco’s public transport system served 26 million passengers in 2025 across various modes, yet persistent complaints about outdated vehicles, insufficient coverage, long wait times, and safety issues remain unresolved. With over 5 million residents in the Guadalajara metro area alone, Lomelí contends that raising fares without first addressing these systemic deficiencies risks exacerbating inequality and limiting access for vulnerable populations.
Fare-setting decisions carry significant social implications when implemented without robust oversight or stakeholder consultation.
At the heart of the senator’s critique is the constitutional right to mobility. He warned that fare increases implemented without inclusive design or accessibility safeguards could disproportionately affect low-income users, particularly those who rely on cash payments and may be excluded from the electronic subsidy scheme. The proposed 3-peso per ride subsidy is only available through a digital fare card, potentially sidelining those without access to digital infrastructure or banking services.
State authorities have defended the fare adjustment as necessary for maintaining financial viability in a system under strain. They argue that the subsidy program represents a targeted effort to cushion the impact on users while promoting efficiency through electronic payment systems. Such systems are also seen as tools for reducing fare evasion and improving operational data collection.
However, Lomelí questioned whether the subsidy design primarily benefits private operators rather than end users. He called for a participatory review process that balances fiscal sustainability with universal access and social equity. This includes reassessing how subsidies are distributed and ensuring that any fare policy aligns with broader mobility goals.
The debate reflects deeper tensions in urban mobility governance in high-density states like Jalisco. As cities expand and demand for reliable transport grows, policymakers face mounting pressure to reconcile cost recovery with inclusive service provision. The senator’s intervention highlights how fare-setting decisions—often framed as technical adjustments—carry significant social implications when implemented without robust oversight or stakeholder consultation.
Whether Jalisco’s executive will respond to the congressional appeal remains uncertain. But with the April deadline approaching, the issue underscores ongoing challenges in aligning transport policy with constitutional rights and administrative transparency.
