Yucatán’s Va y Ven Transport Crisis Explained

Mérida, Yucatán — The situation of the Va y Ven public transportation system in Yucatán has been described as a crisis, as concessionaires have announced drastic cuts to their fleets due to non-payment by the Yucatán Transport Agency (ATY). Concessionaires have gradually withdrawn units, operating with 50 percent fewer buses starting July 21, 2025.

Official reports reveal that the government allocated more than 834 million pesos to the system in 2025, and to date has injected more than 1,300 million pesos, underscoring the high operational cost. In contrast, demand for the service is low, with peak hour occupancy at just 48.2 percent, according to data from the ATY itself. Various reports agree that the network covers most of Mérida (73 percent of the metropolitan area) but suffers from financial insufficiency, which has led many users to opt for private vehicles or motorcycles.

Media and Official Data on the Crisis

Official and journalistic data confirm the crisis situation. In July 2025, the concessionaire companies issued a statement announcing progressive fleet reductions due to "lack of payment," starting with a 30 percent withdrawal of units on Thursday, July 17, and reaching 50 percent from July 21.

This report coincides with user complaints on social media alerting about stoppages and cuts on various routes. For its part, the ATY publicly recognized "financial problems" within the system and termed the intervention an "Emergency Transport Operation." Even Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena stated in May 2025 that the Va y Ven system would not disappear, although its contracts would be reviewed for alleged irregularities.

In summary, both independent media and official sources support that there is an operational and financial crisis, payments to concessionaires are missing, the payment scheme was changed to "kilometer traveled," and fiscal adjustments are being sought.

Contingency Measures: Old Buses and Taxis

For example, the ATY announced that on six routes it would enable "buses and taxis" as support in the absence of Va y Ven units. This had already happened days earlier on the metropolitan route, where taxis were incorporated due to a lack of buses. These vehicles charge in cash at a higher rate instead of the benefits provided by the Va y Ven system card, which directly impacts users.

Citizens refer to these events as the "rebirth" of old transport. Passengers describe dilapidated units, cash payments without using the card, and even the impression that "there will soon be no more Va y Ven." Indeed, authorities have confirmed that several routes are operating with reduced schedules or with conventional units. For example, a route to Cholul cut night trips, and users have reported prolonged waits due to the lack of modern buses. Units on urban routes have been decreased, and old buses and taxis have been reintroduced as a contingency, as confirmed by local media and the ATY itself.

Pros and Cons of Eliminating the Va y Ven System

Analyzing the suppression of the Va y Ven system involves comparing potential benefits against adverse effects.

Potential Benefits

• Reduced Public Spending: The main argument in favor is budgetary savings. The state has had to continuously subsidize the system (more than 1,300 million pesos in 2025). Eliminating the system would reduce that fiscal burden, freeing up resources for other needs. Furthermore, without the "guaranteed kilometer" model, savings could be achieved on structural overcosts (such as paying for bus routes that are almost empty).
• Strengthen Existing Transport: With suppression, traditional routes could recover their market. Conventional operators would eventually meet urban demand instead of waiting for state subsidies, which could, in theory, force cost optimization.

Potential Drawbacks

• Loss of Coverage and Quality: On the contrary, Va y Ven offers broad coverage that would be difficult to replicate. It covers some 95 routes including Mérida and several municipalities (Kanasín, Umán, Valladolid, Tizimín, etc.), serving areas previously underserved. Its elimination would leave millions without access to modern, affordable transport. Currently, 73 percent of the metropolitan area has access to Va y Ven; without it, many areas would be left only with older, less safe lines.
• Regression in Comfort and Safety: Va y Ven buses are modern, with air conditioning, cameras, USB chargers, and electronic payment. Their demise would mean a return to obsolete, noisier units with poorer service, as users are already experiencing. People with an active system card would lose benefits: they would go from paying 8 pesos (with card) to 10 pesos in cash per trip.
• Social and Environmental Impact: The Va y Ven system includes social fares (for students, senior citizens, people with disabilities) and promotes less car use. Official data indicates that during the crisis, many users opted for cars or motorcycles, increasing congestion and pollution. Canceling the system would likely deepen that migration to private vehicles (already almost half of trips did not use public transport during peak hours), deteriorating urban sustainability.
• Investment Uncertainty: Finally, the investment in associated infrastructure (new preferential lanes, bus stops, intermodal transfer centers) would be lost. Furthermore, as official analysis suggests, the problem is not just the modern system but an inefficient fare model; if Va y Ven is removed without redesigning routes, urban mobility would lose integrated solutions and the vision of planned multimodal transport.

In summary, although the high fiscal cost of Va y Ven is a real disadvantage, complete elimination could seriously complicate transport service. The population values the modern system positively (many appreciate the new units and broad urban coverage). Therefore, the drawbacks appear to outweigh the pros; suspension would cause a lack of mass service in several areas and worsen the travel quality for regular users.

The Va y Ven routes already operate with fewer units and, in some cases, with conventional transport, as denounced by users and local media. However, state authorities have reiterated that they do not plan to scrap the system; Governor Díaz Mena assured that "the Va y Ven will not disappear," proposing instead to review and adjust its financial model.

In conclusion, the current crisis raises doubts about the pros and cons of the Va y Ven system. Its advantages (broad coverage, modernity, social fares) justify its continuity, but its disadvantages (high state subsidy, low occupancy) demand reform. Any decision to "remove" the system would have serious consequences for urban mobility. The consensus based on sources indicates that the priority must be to correct the financial and operational failures without sacrificing public service, as its elimination would notably complicate the daily lives of thousands of users.