Pianelli: 'If subway fare skyrockets to AR$ 5, only tourists will travel'

The secretary general of the Subway and Tram Union Association Roberto Pianelli reiterated today his criticism over a possible fare hike after the national government's subsidies cut scheduled for December.

Both the National and Buenos Aires City governments announced they would not subsidize the subway starting in 2013 and some possible new fares are being considered.

“If fares reach to $5 pesos, it would stop to be a regular service to become a luxury one. Only tourists would be able to travel and only out of curiosity to travel on the world's third oldest underground system”, Pianelli sustained during a radio interview today.

The unionist also mocked Buenos Aires mayor Mauricio Macri for setting up what Pianelli considers a “melodramatic comedy” over the system’s handover.

“I don’t like it. Take it back”, the unionist said impersoning the City chief, and added: “It is not a t-shirt you can go back to the store and return it."

“The subsidy situation will inevitably generate conflict. We are very aware and prepared for that”, the union boss concluded.