You Won't Believe What Puerto Vallarta's Governor Just Did to Transit Fares for 2026!

In a significant development for public transportation in the state of Jalisco, a fare adjustment has been approved by the Technical Fare Committee. Effective from 2026, the technical fare will increase from 10 pesos to 14 pesos. This adjustment marks the first fare increase since 2018 and is based on a multi-year indexing model designed to maintain stability in public transport costs until 2030.

Despite the rise in fares, Jalisco's Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro has announced a financial support strategy totaling 1.2 billion pesos. This initiative aims to cushion the impact of the fare increase on users. To facilitate this, the state government will introduce the “Al Estilo Jalisco” Unique Card, allowing for a subsidy of 3 pesos per trip. Consequently, the actual fare for the general public will remain at 11 pesos.

• General Fare (with card): 11 pesos
• Technical Fare (without card): 14 pesos
• Vulnerable Groups: Students, seniors, teachers, and people with disabilities will continue to receive a 50% discount, reducing their fare to just 7 pesos.
• Distribution: The application process for the unique card will commence in January 2026, with a target of distributing 1.5 million cards by April. Details of the application process are anticipated to be revealed shortly.

Governor Lemus emphasized the necessity of this fare adjustment in light of rising fuel and supply costs, but reiterated the commitment to social welfare. He stated, “We understand the Committee’s technical arguments, but a 14-peso fare would be unfeasible and a tremendous blow to the pockets of the majority. Therefore, government support will go directly to the user and no longer to the transport operators.” He assured citizens that this would be the only fare increase during his administration, with no further hikes expected until 2030.

Modernization Efforts in Public Transportation

The fare increase is accompanied by a commitment to enhance public transportation services. Recently, 31 new 2026-model units were incorporated into the Puerto Vallarta fleet, representing an investment of 150 million pesos. This addition includes:

• 10 electric buses (Sunwin brand)
• 15 natural gas units (Geely brand)
• 6 diesel buses (Mercedes-Benz)

All new units are equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, video surveillance systems, and electronic payment capabilities. Additionally, plans for the consolidation of an electromobility system for Francisco Medina Ascencio Avenue are set to unfold later in 2026.

The adjustments in fare and service improvements underscore the Jalisco government's efforts to balance financial realities with the need for accessible public transportation. As the region prepares for the changes ahead, the integration of innovative technologies and financial support strategies promises to shape the future landscape of public transit in Jalisco.