Lima Joins Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna in Devastating Bus Crisis: Peru’s Transport Nightmare Unfolds!

Published on December 8, 2025

Lima joins Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna in a devastating bus crisis that has left millions of Peruvians struggling. In 2025, Peru’s transport system is spiraling into chaos, and the country’s major cities are feeling the impact. Lima, once a bustling metropolis with a reliable bus network, is now at the centre of this transport nightmare. Commuters are being hit with unfair pricing and unreliable services, all while facing a monopoly that leaves them with limited options.

Just like Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna, Lima’s residents are trapped in a system that offers little choice and skyrocketing costs. The situation is urgent, with protests and frustrations mounting in every corner of the country. As Lima joins these cities in transport turmoil, the future of public transit in Peru hangs in the balance, and urgent reforms are needed to avoid a complete collapse.

Lima’s Transport System Faces Collapse: A Tale of Monopoly and Extortion

Lima, the capital of Peru, is home to nearly 10 million people. The city’s bus system, once a reliable form of transport for commuters, is now falling apart. Over the past year, around 5,000 formal buses have disappeared from the streets. Why? A combination of violence, extortion, and racketeering. In Lima, many bus companies are forced to pay gangs to keep their services running, a practice known as “cobro de cupos.”

These gangs demand money from bus operators in exchange for protection. The result? Thousands of buses have ceased operation, creating a massive gap in the city’s public transport. This leaves commuters relying on informal, often unsafe, minivans and taxis. These informal services are not regulated and charge sky-high fares, making transport unaffordable for many.

The lack of formal buses also means there is no competition in the market. With fewer options for transport, fares are at the mercy of these unregulated operators. Some residents have complained of being charged triple the regular fare, especially during rush hours or on more popular routes. This monopoly is strangling the city’s transport system, and the government is struggling to fix it.

Cusco’s Tourism Transport Woes: Monopoly and Protest Looms Over Machu Picchu Buses

The situation in Cusco is another example of Peru’s transport crisis. Cusco is a city famous for its tourism industry, especially due to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. For decades, visitors to Machu Picchu had to rely on a single bus company, Consettur, to get them to the historic site. This monopoly controlled both pricing and access, creating a frustrating situation for tourists who had no choice but to pay high prices for a bus ticket.

In 2025, Consettur’s concession expired, and the Peruvian government promised to end the monopoly. However, despite the end of the formal monopoly, Consettur continues operating under a temporary agreement, which has created confusion. The new operator, Inversiones San Antonio de Torontoy, was supposed to take over, but protests and legal uncertainty have delayed the changeover.

This confusion has led to tourists being stranded and angry, especially during peak seasons when demand for buses to Machu Picchu is high. Some tourists even reported having to wait for hours to board a bus or being charged much higher fares than usual. The ongoing monopoly situation has sparked protests from locals and tourists alike, as many feel that the new system is not working and that the previous monopoly had left them at the mercy of an unfair system.

Arequipa’s Transport Challenges: Disruptions and Increased Fare Costs

In southern Peru, Arequipa is facing its own transport crises. Arequipa is the second-largest city in Peru and is known for its cultural significance. However, its bus services have been heavily impacted by roadblocks and protests, particularly during mining-related protests in 2025. These protests halted bus services to the region, leaving thousands of people stranded. Some bus companies continued selling tickets, even though there was no guarantee that services would actually run.

This situation led to fare increases, with some companies raising ticket prices from 70 to 90 soles on the spot, leaving passengers with no choice but to pay or be stranded. The uncertainty around when and where buses would run has created a chaotic and unreliable transport system in the region.

Arequipa’s transport problems highlight a bigger issue in Peru: the lack of competition and regulation. When public transport systems are unreliable, passengers are left with little choice but to rely on the few services that are running. This results in fare hikes and deteriorating service quality.

Puno’s Struggles: Political Unrest and Transport Disruptions

Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, is another city in southern Peru that is facing transport challenges. Puno is often impacted by roadblocks and protests, particularly when political unrest arises. In 2025, during protests related to mining issues, bus services to Puno were halted, leaving many people stranded. Similar to Arequipa, some bus companies took advantage of the situation, raising ticket prices significantly, even though there was no guarantee that the buses would actually operate.

The disruptions caused by the protests have worsened the already unreliable public transport system in Puno. When transport services become unpredictable, passengers are forced to pay more for services that may not even run. This situation is having a detrimental impact on the daily lives of people in Puno, who rely on buses for work, education, and basic needs.

Puno’s experience is a microcosm of a broader issue in Peru, where public transport is often subject to political and social instability. Without proper regulation and competition, passengers bear the brunt of these disruptions.

Tacna’s Transport Crisis: Roadblocks and Price Hikes

Tacna, another city in southern Peru, shares similar challenges with Arequipa and Puno. Tacna is often affected by roadblocks and strikes, particularly during periods of social unrest. In 2025, during a mining-related protest, bus services to Tacna were temporarily suspended. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the availability of buses, some companies continued to sell tickets, forcing passengers to pay higher prices for uncertain services.

This situation exacerbated the already unreliable transport system in Tacna. As with Arequipa and Puno, the lack of competition and regulation led to fare increases, with some passengers being forced to pay 20 to 30 soles more than usual. This puts a strain on people who rely on buses to get to work, school, or other essential services.

The transport problems in Tacna, like those in other southern cities, reflect a systemic issue in Peru’s bus network. With limited options for transport, passengers have little choice but to accept the high prices and unreliable services.

The Impact on Everyday Peruvians: Struggling with Unfair Pricing

For everyday Peruvians, the consequences of the transport crisis are severe. Many people in cities like Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and Tacna depend on buses to get to work, school, and to run errands. However, with buses disappearing from the streets and informal services charging outrageous fares, many are being forced to make difficult decisions. Some are spending hours trying to find a bus or taxi, while others simply cannot afford the rising fares.

In Lima, residents living in poorer districts are hit hardest. Many cannot afford the inflated prices of informal transport services and are left without reliable options. Some people have even resorted to walking long distances or using bicycles to get to work. This is not just an inconvenience; it is affecting the livelihoods of millions of people.

The government has tried to address the issue by offering subsidies to transport companies and cracking down on illegal buses. However, progress has been slow, and the system remains deeply flawed. The lack of formal buses and the presence of violent extortion gangs mean that the transport crisis is unlikely to be solved any time soon.

Why is this Happening? The Role of Corruption and Lack of Regulation

One of the key reasons for Peru’s transport crisis is a deep-rooted issue of corruption and a lack of regulation. Bus operators are often forced to pay bribes to gangs or local officials to continue running their services. This means that bus services are not just expensive; they are also unsafe. Many passengers report feeling vulnerable when travelling on informal buses, as they are often overcrowded, poorly maintained, and driven recklessly.

At the same time, there is little oversight of the transport industry. The government has failed to introduce a comprehensive public transport policy that addresses the issues of monopoly and pricing. In cities like Lima, the lack of competition has led to higher fares and fewer services. Without competition, there is no incentive for bus companies to improve their services or lower their prices.

What Needs to Be Done: Solutions to the Transport Crisis in Peru

To solve the transport crisis in Peru, the government needs to take immediate and decisive action. First and foremost, it must ensure that all bus services are properly regulated, with strict rules on pricing, safety, and competition. The government should also work to eliminate the racketeering that is crippling the industry. This means cracking down on the gangs that are extorting money from bus operators and ensuring that transport companies can operate without fear of violence.

The government must also ensure that there is enough competition in the bus network. By encouraging more companies to enter the market and offering incentives for operators to improve their services, the government can ensure that passengers have more choices and that prices remain competitive.

Finally, Peru needs to invest in long-term solutions for public transport. This means building a comprehensive and modern transport infrastructure, including bus lanes, modern bus stations, and integrated services that connect buses, trains, and taxis. By investing in the future of transport, the government can ensure that Peruvians have access to affordable, safe, and reliable public transport for years to come.

The Road Ahead: Will Peru’s Transport System Survive?

The road ahead for Peru’s transport system is uncertain. The country’s largest cities are facing enormous challenges, and residents are struggling with unreliable services and unfair pricing. However, with the right reforms and a commitment to cracking down on corruption, Peru can turn its transport crisis around.

The government must act quickly to tackle the root causes of the crisis. If it does not, the transport system will continue to spiral out of control, leaving millions of Peruvians without the means to get around. The time to act is now.