# Santo Tomé-São Borja cross-border transport dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/santo-tom-so-borja-cross-border-transport-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-13T12:27:27.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

The cross-border bus service between Santo Tomé, Argentina, and São Borja, Brazil, has been suspended following a dispute over toll exemptions for public transport. 

The disruption follows the transition of the ‘De La Integración’ International Bridge management from Mercovia S.A. to the Brazilian firm SC Rodovias Mercosul. While previous agreements permitted toll-free passage for essential bus services, the new concessionaire has not extended these benefits. 

The Argentina-Brazil Mixed Commission (COMAB) ruled that the authority to waive tolls rests exclusively with the private concessionaire, SC Rodovias Mercosul. As a result, COMAB and the Control Delegation (DELCON) have stated they are not responsible for the service suspension. Commuters are currently forced to rely on private transport services, such as Uber and remises, which result in higher travel costs.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-13: Santo Tomé and São Borja bus service ends due to toll dispute

Public bus services between Santo Tomé and São Borja have ceased following a decision that leaves toll exemptions for the Río Uruguay company to the sole discretion of the new bridge concessionaire.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santo-tom-and-so-borja-bus-service-ends-due-to-toll-dispute

### 2026-08-27: Santo Tomé implements traffic diversions for bridge works

New traffic diversions will be implemented in Santo Tomé starting August 31 due to construction on Avenida 7 de Marzo for the new Santa Fe-Santo Tomé bridge project.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santo-tom-implements-traffic-diversions-for-bridge-works

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Cite as: Santo Tomé-São Borja cross-border transport dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/santo-tom-so-borja-cross-border-transport-dispute