“The main objective is to remove the hydrocarbons subsidies. If we conduct the conversion, in the second year the State will not be granting any subsidies and saving diesel consumption, and in 6-7 years we will paying the money back to the government”, the secretary explained to justify the implementation of the project.
Additionally, the director of the NGV program Enrique Flores said that all the bus tests needed had been conducted over 10 months, including departmental and interdepartmental trials. “A couple of buses have been in service for five months and with really positive results,” he said.
Flores reported that the best way to implement the buses conversion in the shortest time possible will be evaluated. The cost of conversion and engine change will be paid with money from the fund that establishes an additional 20 cents rate for each gasoline refueling made by the driver.
The Tarija bus fleet consists of about 4,000 units in the Cercado Province and 2,500 in rural areas.
Source: Department of Tarija Government.
