Cuenca Regional Bus Fares Rise 25% As Riders Question The Change

If you use regional buses from Cuenca, check the fare before you pay. Most cooperatives operating at the Terminal Terrestre de Cuenca began applying a 25% increase on August 1.

What changed

The increase is based on Resolution 020-DIR-2026-ANT, issued by the National Transit Agency on July 25. The change affects interprovincial and intraprovincial transport, so the practical impact depends on your route.

One reported example is the trip from Cuenca toward Azogues: the fare rises from $0.86 to $1.08, an increase of $0.22. The fare to Gualaceo is listed at $1.58.

Other route examples include Pucara, from $4.49 to $5.61; Guarumales in Sevilla de Oro, from $3.86 to $4.82; and Amaluza in Sevilla de Oro, from $3.45 to $4.31. The published table also lists Paute at $1.80, Sigsig at $2.59, Giron at $1.51, Santa Isabel at $3.02, and Nabon at $2.80.

No rounding up

The Governor of Azuay, Xavier Bermudez, said the fares may not be rounded up and announced controls beginning with the new rates. The report says operators that charge improperly could face financial sanctions and could even risk losing their operating authorization.

That is worth remembering if a fare looks close to the next dollar. Ask to see the updated fare table, especially at busy stops or when you are boarding outside the terminal.

Urban buses are a separate issue

The report also says Cuenca's urban-bus fare will change on August 15 through a subsidy system financed by the Municipality of Cuenca. That is separate from the regional fares that began changing on August 1.

For expats, the simplest move is to keep a little extra change on hand for regional trips and check the posted fare before boarding. The increase is official, but the control question is whether the amount charged matches the authorized table.