Q COSTARICA — Starting today, July 1st, an adjustment to train, bus, taxi, and toll fares will take effect due to the withdrawal of the ¢5, ¢10, and ¢25 coins from circulation.
According to the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) — Central Bank, these coins will no longer be valid as legal tender. The institution also confirmed that the ¢5 coin will be permanently withdrawn from circulation.
As a result, the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) adjusted public transportation fares for amounts ending in ¢5. In all cases, fares will be rounded to the nearest multiple of ¢10.
Buses
The adjustments will be distributed as follows:
- 48.3% of fares (2,324) will remain unchanged.
- 24.9% (1,197 fares) will decrease by ¢5.
- 26.8% (1,288 fares) will increase by ¢5.
ARESEP also reported that it continues working on the implementation of the electronic payment system through SINPE-TP.
Taxis
Fares for taxis adapted for people with disabilities will be adjusted. However, sedan taxis, rural taxis, and the orange taxis at Juan Santamaría International Airport will maintain their current fares.
Nevertheless, all taximeters will be reprogrammed to register increases of ¢10 starting July 1st.
Trains
Routes that will maintain the same fare:
- Indoor Club – Pacific Station
- Pacific Station – Metrópoli III
- Universidad Latina – Heredia
- Alajuela – Heredia
Routes that will increase by ¢5:
- Pacific Station – Belén
- Indoor Club – Metrópoli III
- Atlantic Station – Heredia
- Atlantic Station – Cartago
Coastal Shipping (Ferries and Boats)
Fares that will not change:
- Adults on the Puntarenas – Paquera route.
- Minors on the Puntarenas – Playa Naranjo route.
Fares that will decrease by ¢5:
- Adults on the Puntarenas – Playa Naranjo route.
- Minors on the Puntarenas – Paquera route.
- Minors on the Isla Chira – Costa de Pájaros route.
- All users of the Puerto Lindo – Barra del Colorado route.
- All users of the Tortuguero – La Pavona route.
Fares that will increase by ¢5:
- Tortuguero – San Francisco Peripheral Route.
Tolls
The following fares will decrease by ¢5:
- Light vehicles at the Florencio del Castillo Highway toll plaza.
- Buses and cargo vehicles at the Braulio Carrillo Highway toll plaza.
The other vehicle categories will maintain their current fares. Although adjustments of ¢5, both upward and downward, were planned, these will not be applied because the National Road Council (CONAVI) has suspended toll collection on those routes.
Given these changes, ARESEP reminds public transportation operators that it is not permitted to keep passengers’ change. This may constitute the withholding of fare collection and can be penalized according to the law.