Chile expands rural bus services in Santa Juana and Arica

Transportes Santa Juana SpA added two new high‑standard buses to its fleet, raising the number of operating vehicles to 25 and serving about 3,500 passengers daily on routes to San Pedro de la Paz and Concepción. The buses feature low‑floor access, Wi‑Fi, USB charging, heating and air‑conditioning. Transport Minister Henry Campos highlighted the upgrade as a step toward urban‑level quality for rural transport.

The Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications also announced a new subsidised route (CTA0363) linking Arica with Ungallire in the Putre commune. Operating on weekends, the 216‑km service will carry roughly 200 passengers per trip, improving access to health, education and other basic services for families in the altiplano. Regional transport seremi Patricio Löhr Tapia said the route fulfills the President's commitment to connect isolated rural communities.