The Ombudsman will defend train service users on the Alajuela-Heredia route due to the request introduced by the Costa Rican Railways Institute (INCOFER).
In its petition before the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), INCOFER requested to establish a 650-colon fare.
The institution declared that, based on its 80% occupancy estimations, the service transports 63,107 passengers per month, with a total of 15 daily trips (9 departures from Alajuela and 6 departures from Heredia).
However, in an study conducted by the Ombudsman’s Office, it is estimated that due to the 30 daily trips that are currently offered and the same 80% occupancy, there would be an estimated demand of 123,475 passengers per month, a figure that doubles the one reported by INCOFER.
Therefore, the Ombudsman thinks that the resulting fare would be ₡ 515, which is 21% less than the original resquest.
Regarding the current service, the Ombudsman’s Office maintains that it was conceived as an “exclusive” service between Alajuela and Heredia and viceversa. However, according to INCOFER’s website, this route is integrated to the service provided to the city of San José and vice versa (since February 16th, all stops are included).
Based on this information, there are actually 15 trips per direction, which means that there are 30 trips per day, a figure that doubles the one originally proposed by INCOFER.
As reported by ARESEP, there were two public hearings on February 20th to discuss the issue. ARESEP informed that their proposal is 650 colones and elderly would be exempt from payment.