ATI and AMA outline ferry, train and bus investments and an integrated fare system
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Summary
ATI and AMA officials told the House Finance Committee they plan terminal upgrades, new ferries, train station rehabilitation and a unified payment system; AMA reported fleet increases and covered‑stop rollouts while ATI described resident fare exemptions and registration plans.
Officials from the Autoridad de Transporte Integrado (ATI) and the Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses (AMA) presented consolidated budgets and program priorities to the House Finance Committee on April 14.
Josué L. Menéndez Agosto, executive director of ATI, described capital priorities including a Ceiba terminal project budgeted at about $50 million (state funds), procurement of additional vessels to expand the maritime fleet to nine vessels, dredging and terminal works, and substantial rehabilitation work for the train system including station and electrification components. Menéndez said the train‑station rehabilitation program has an estimated near‑$200 million scope tied to station repairs and substation work, and that phased procurement and long lead times for specialized equipment (about two years) are expected.
Menéndez and AMA representatives explained fare restructuring measures and resident protections. ATI said tariff adjustments do not apply to bona fide residents of the isleta municipalities; mayors can authorize exemptions for residents and merchants under the rules in force. The agencies reported thousands of residents and merchants already registered to implement exemptions ahead of changes.
On fares and payments, the agencies said they are building a unified fare platform: a mobile app, a smart card (referred to as 'Pati') and cash options so riders can use a single payment method across bus, train and eventually maritime services. The integrated back‑office and customer‑service systems are under development, with a projected rollout timeline tied to system procurement and operator agreements.
Luis González, president of AMA, said the bus agency now operates about 110 vehicles with roughly 85–86 buses in daily service and expects to add 40 new buses; AMA also plans to deploy covered bus stops (500 in San Juan, 250 in Bayamón) and a real‑time app for bus arrivals to improve reliability and rider confidence.
Menéndez flagged the Ceiba–Mosquito terminal upgrades, vessel deliveries expected this year, and plans to expand intercity links (for example a proposed Bayamón–Utuado intercity route) to increase regional mobility. Officials tied service improvements to budget requests in the joint resolution under committee review.
Committee members asked about projected ridership, exemption rules for island residents, and timelines; the agencies provided ridership figures (last year’s maritime ridership ~1.8 million passengers; train approaching ~7 million riders) and committed to provide further documentation as requested.
