Controls and fines on AMBA trains: How do the new patrols on board work?
Trenes Argentinos began to deploy a strong inspection operation on the different railway lines of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) with the aim of combating the historic turning point jumping and the lack of validation of the SUBE card. The measure, which is already fully operational on the Roca Line – key to La Plata’s connectivity – seeks to ensure that all passengers pay the corresponding fare before traveling.
How much does the fine cost and how is the offender detected?
Unlike the traditional fixed operations at the stations, the new modality consists of the deployment of «inspection patrols» made up of company personnel and supervisors who go through the training while they are on the move. The impact of the measure is already overwhelming: according to sources from the state company, during the first month of implementation, nearly 16,000 violations were issued to passengers who traveled without registering their ticket.
The economic penalty established by current regulations for those who evade payment of the ticket is equivalent to 10 minimum ticketswhich currently represents a sum of $3,500 for each violation detected
The digital control mechanism works as follows:
- Upon entering the station, the user must register the entry by placing the card on the turnstiles (at which time the system retains the maximum value of the section).
- The patrols board the train and request SUBE cards from passengers to scan them with mobile electronic devices.
- The device immediately verifies whether the trip is «open» at the originating station. If the last movement does not coincide with the route or does not register the initial validation, the violation is automatically configured.
Payment methods and lines affected
A key point of the new system is the flexibility to pay the penalty. Sanctioned users have the possibility of paying the $3,500 on the spot, either in cash or by QR codes using virtual wallets or banking applications, receiving a numbered receipt of the daily surrender.
At the moment, controls are concentrated more intensely on the Rock Line (with 10 active patrols distributed on its different branches, including La Plata and Bosques), the San Martín line and the Belgrano Sur. It was anticipated that in the coming weeks the same inspection scheme will be extended to the Miter and Sarmiento lines.
See more news in the ViveLaPlata’s Instagram and in our website.
