Bachelet asks for approval to subsidize Transantiago

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SANTIAGO. -  President Michelle Bachelet called on Congress to approve a public transportation subsidy for the country today.  The initiative however, appears to have a difficult road ahead of it after several opposition party and government members have seemed reluctant to give the initiative a green light.

Accompanied by the head of Transportation, René Cortázar, the President (who had made the visit to inspect Pedro Aguirre Cerda Road) insisted that the project is “a necessary measure” in order for the system to work well. 

“The project tremendously benefits the people, which is why I have called on the members of Congress to keep this in mind when it is time to vote”, stated Bachelet.

The initiative was presented by the minister of Transport, René Cortázar, on Wednesday and proposes two types of subsidies:  a permanent amount of US$ 210 million per year and a temporary amount of US$ 135 million per year from 2009 to 2011. 

One of the main motives for the project is for part of the permanent subsidy to go towards making up for the difference between the adult and student fares so that adult passengers do not have to pay more as a result of the lower student fare.  The idea is to implement the solution not only in Santiago, but also throughout the rest of the country.