Quito authorities inspect buses and manage traffic ahead of national holiday

Ahead of the three-day national holiday celebrating Guayaquil's Independence, authorities in Quito have launched inspections at major land terminals to ensure passenger safety and regulatory compliance.

At the Quitumbe Terminal, inspections by the National Transit Agency (ANT) resulted in the detention of 36 interprovincial buses due to mechanical failures or irregular driver documentation. Officials also identified unauthorized changes in ticket pricing, leading to the opening of disciplinary proceedings. The municipality estimates that approximately 67,000 travelers will depart from the Quitumbe and Carcelén terminals during the holiday period.

In addition to regulatory checks, heavy rain and high vehicle volume caused significant traffic congestion near the Quitumbe Terminal. The Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) deployed over 1,200 officers to manage traffic flow and conduct physical inspections of transport units to ensure they meet safety standards for the holiday travel surge.