Marcelo Pasciutto, director of the DOTA group, which manages 180 bus lines in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), stated that the passenger transport system is outdated. According to Pasciutto, there are more buses operating than necessary, many of them in poor condition, and the minimum fare should be 1,500 pesos.
In statements to Radio Rivadavia, the businessman expressed that public transport faces a serious crisis due to the lack of an adequate strategy. He pointed out that drivers' salaries are very low and blamed the union for not taking measures to increase them during the previous administration.
Pasciutto also mentioned that many transport companies have an obsolete fleet, with vehicles over the 10-year age limit allowed by law. According to him, this mismanagement has affected the quality of service offered.
The businessman emphasized the need for a complete restructuring of the transport system, with greater investment in gas buses, even though this requires a significant initial outlay. He criticized the lack of a long-term strategy in the sector and lamented the constant shifts in focus every time there is a change in government.
In relation to ongoing negotiations to avoid a workers' strike called by the Motor Transport Union (UTA), Pasciutto described it as "outrageous" to discuss a raise of 40,000 pesos and expressed his pessimism by pointing out that there is a large gap between the offers from companies (9%) and the demands of employees (80%).
