BUENOS AIRES, July 21 (Reuters) - Argentina's government will raise public transportation fares by 40% in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area in August, ending a freeze that had been in place since 2019, according to a notice published in the country's official gazette on Thursday.
The price hike, which followed a non-binding consultation, will not make up for the rise in the consumer price index, which just this year could exceed 80%, according to private estimates.
Starting in August, the minimum bus ticket in Buenos Aires will cost 25.20 pesos ($0.19), up from the current 18 pesos ($ 0.14).
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez's Peronist government is grappling with spiraling inflation and tensions within the ruling coalition.
Reporting by Walter Bianchi, Edited by Maximilian Heath; Writing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Paul SimaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Alberto Fernandez's, Walter Bianchi, Maximilian Heath, Aida Pelaez, Fernandez, Paul Simao
Organizations:
Alberto Fernandez's Peronist, Thomson
Locations:
BUENOS AIRES, Buenos Aires, Argentine