Chile launches anti-evasion operations for Red bus system

The Chilean Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications has conducted a large-scale operation against fare evasion on Red Movilidad buses in Santiago. During a simultaneous crackdown across 25 points in more than 20 communes, authorities performed 8,583 controls, resulting in 1,301 individuals being summoned to local police courts.

Following the enactment of the Evasion Law in June, authorities have expanded powers and sanctions. Infractors registered in the Passenger Offender Registry may face restrictions such as being unable to purchase tickets for professional football matches or having passport applications rejected. Fines for evasion range from 72,000 to 108,000 Chilean pesos, while misuse of student or senior transit cards can reach approximately 216,000 pesos.

A pilot program on the 107 service, which connects Peñalolén and Huechuraba, reported a 25.4% increase in fare validations. The initiative, which utilized agents on buses to encourage payment, aimed to reduce evasion rates from 62.7% toward a target range of 30% to 40%.