The ¢550 colones fare set by the regulating authority for the San José – Cartago service is just not enough for the Instituto Costarricenses de Ferrocarriles (Incofer), says the railway’s president, Miguel Carabaguíaz.
According to Carabaguíaz, the Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos (Aresep) has not yet fully understood the rising costs of train operation, especially with respect to fuel.
The commuter train to east of San José was to have started this month. However, according to Carabaguíaz, it won’t until the next month as the Incofer appeals the Aresep decision.
The Incofer says it needs ¢565 colones – ¢15 colones more – from each passenger to cover costs.
Carabaguíaz confirmed that they won’t print the tickets and start rolling the trains until the Aresep appeal has been heard, which could take weeks.