Colombian and Ecuadorian cities roll out new pico y placa traffic schedules

Municipal authorities in several major cities have announced updated pico y placa (traffic‑restriction) rotations for July‑August 2026. In Medellín, Mayor Federico Gutiérrez confirmed that, beginning Monday 3 August, motorcycles with plate numbers starting 1 or 7 will be banned, followed by additional digit pairings for each weekday through Friday. The same schedule applies to private cars, vans and official taxis.

In the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (including Floridablanca, Girón and Piedecuesta), the transit director Jhair Manrique said the new rotation starts Monday 27 July, prohibiting vehicles with plates ending in 7 or 8 that day and outlining the full weekly digit sequence through the first week of August. Violations carry fines of up to 15 minimum daily wages and vehicle immobilisation.

Quito’s municipal government also publishes its July 27 schedule, restricting vehicles whose plates end in 1 or 2 during two peak‑hour blocks (06:00‑09:30 and 16:00‑20:00). Fines are calculated as percentages of the 2026 basic salary, escalating with repeat offences. Bogotá continues its existing odd‑even scheme, allowing plates ending in 6‑0 on even‑numbered days and 1‑5 on odd‑numbered days.

All cities cite the measures as efforts to reduce congestion, lower emissions and promote public‑transport use, while drivers are urged to check daily calendars to avoid penalties.