The national strike on May 9 organized by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) is expected to cost Trenes Argentinos $200 million, according to the Secretary of Transportation. The strike, led by some unions in the railway sector, is affecting about 1 million people who rely on metropolitan, regional, and long-distance train services. In total, at least 6.6 million users are left without public transport on this day, with nearly 5 million passengers in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) unable to travel.
Outside the AMBA, there are 1.5 million people in 60 localities across the country who use the SUBE card system for transport and will be unable to travel due to the strike. The Secretary stated that there are more than 2,300 bus units on the streets, which is almost 40% of a normal day. Efforts are being made to add more buses to the system to accommodate the increased demand.
In Buenos Aires, the subway system is also not operating due to metro delegates joining the strike. This decision impacts all subway lines and the Premetro, resulting in 900,000 fewer trips. The National Government has decided to deduct the entire day of subsidy to companies that are not providing services during the strike, as part of a new strategy to stop subsidizing strikes in the sector.
The Ministry of Transportation emphasized the importance of letting those who want to work have the opportunity to do so without being harassed. This approach aims to protect workers and ensure that services are provided to the public. The government is implementing measures to discourage strikes and ensure that transportation services continue to operate effectively despite labor disputes.