Bucaramanga court annuls special 'pico y placa' rule as Bogotá enforces daily traffic rotation

A Colombian administrative court in Bucaramanga struck down the special "pico y placa" restriction that barred vehicles registered outside the Santander department from circulating in the city. The judge ruled the measure lacked technical studies, violated constitutional equality, and voided article 2 of Resolution 017 2025 issued by the local traffic authority. Taxi union leader Daniel Méndez welcomed the decision but said broader traffic growth still requires strengthening the traditional plate‑based restriction.

In Bogotá, the mayor’s office and the mobility secretariat continued the daily "pico y placa" program on 3 July, allowing cars with plate numbers ending in 1‑5 to travel while prohibiting those ending in 6‑0. The schedule also applies to taxis and special‑service vehicles, which face a separate restriction on plates ending in 1‑2. Violations attract fines of 15 minimum wages (about 604,100 Colombian pesos) and possible vehicle immobilisation.

Both measures illustrate ongoing municipal efforts to manage congestion through vehicle‑access limits, though the legal challenge in Bucaramanga highlights the need for data‑driven justification.