With the strong rate increases that have been in effect since this month in the means of transportation of the Capital and Greater Buenos Aires, it has become key for the pocketbook to take advantage of an old benefit that is
still in force
:
discounts
for those who
make combinations
.
The mechanism, called "
Red SUBE
", allows passengers on
AMBA buses,
trains
and
subways to pay
a much lower fare
each time they get off one means of transport to
continue their journey
on another.
As established, the
first section
is paid for the
normal value
of the ticket.
But on the
second trip in a row, a
50% lower
rate applies
.
And from the
third trip
there is a
75% discount
on the ticket.
In other words, the
first connection
is made at
half
the full cost, the
second connection
is made at
a quarter
of the rate and the same will happen if there are more consecutive transfers.
Video
Without this requirement, traveling by train and bus will cost much more.
So, for example, if someone goes to work taking a short bus trip
,
then a long
train
ride and finally another short bus ride, they will pay the first ticket at
$270
(the new common rate), the second at
$104
( instead of
$208
) and the third at
$67.50
(instead of
$270
).
Now, this advantage has
requirements and limitations
that are important to know in detail.
Because, otherwise, it will be easy to make certain
mistakes
that nullify the discounts
.
Below are the four most common and how to avoid them.
In certain conditions the discount does not apply.
Photo: Guillermo Rodríguez Adami.
Error No. 1: exceeding the maximum time
If between one trip and the next the passenger makes some type of stop (for example, to have lunch or to complete a procedure) and does not keep an
eye on the clock
, he or she may lose the discount.
It happens that Red SUBE covers
up to five connections
that are
paid
within a period of
two hours
.
That is, only combinations paid for
before minute 120
will have a discount , regardless of whether the last trip with benefit ends outside the deadline.
"The two hours
begin to be counted from the moment the
first ticket
is paid
and until the last one is paid. The important thing is that the payment for the last combination is made before the two hours are up," the authorities clarify.
If there is a delay and payment for a connection
after two hours
, that last trip will be made at
full cost
and
the cycle will restart
: in the following two hours the passenger will be able to make up to 5 more combinations with rates 50% or 75% lower.
Error No. 2: continue traveling on the same line
A common confusion is to assume that one can finish a trip and within two hours start another one with a discount on the
same train
or
bus
line taken for the first leg.
For example, boarding buses on line 168 or trains on the Belgrano Norte branch twice in a row.
In those cases the system will not understand that a
combination
existed .
And then,
the benefit will not apply
.
Likewise, you must know that
the entire Subway
works as a
unit
.
Therefore, there will not be a Red SUBE discount if two consecutive entries to the subway are made within 120 minutes, even if they were at turnstiles on
different lines
(for example, A and B).
Therefore, on those occasions, and whenever there are alternatives, it is best to complete the journey by choosing
a different means of transport
that goes to the same destination.
If the trip continues on the same bus line, there is no discount.
Photo: Luciano Thieberger.
Mistake #3: making payments for someone else
There are passengers who pay, with
the same SUBE
, their own fare and also that of
other people
.
For example, that of a son.
Although it is practical, the problem with this is that on trips with combinations
they lose discounts
.
If someone pays for more than one ticket with a single card,
only the first one will have a discount
, since by supporting the SUBE again, another payment will be made on the
same line
(which eliminates the benefit and restarts the two-hour period).
To avoid this, each passenger who pays for a ticket should use their
own card
.
Mistake No. 4: making sections with season tickets and passes
Those who, for example, board the
train
with a student ticket or usually access the
Subway
with a
pass for retirees
or a social subscription, should know that these types of benefits
are not compatible
with those of Red SUBE.
To have a discount on connections, you must
pay each trip with SUBE
.
So, if the route to be taken includes combinations, you have to do the math: perhaps the most convenient for your pocket is to use the SUBE for
all the sections
.
On the Subway, retirees can choose whether to use their pass or the SUBE.
Photo: Fernando de la Orden.
Red SUBE: what else should you know about the benefit of making discounted connections in the AMBA?
-
Automatic profit
.
It is applied when paying for trips with the SUBE card without the passenger needing to carry out
any procedure
.
-
It applies to almost all public transport
.
It includes more than 300 urban and suburban bus lines, trains
(
Mitre, Sarmiento, Roca, San Martín, Urquiza, Belgrano Sur and Belgrano Norte), the
Subway
(all lines), the
Premetro
and the
Metrobús
corridors (9 of July, May 25, Juan B. Justo, Del Bajo, Norte, Sur, La Matanza, San Martín and Route 8).
-
The excluded lines
.
The only means of transportation that are outside the SUBE Network are the
Coastal Train
and regular
River
Passenger Transportation.
If the trip begins by boat and connects with a train or bus, the discount is applied to the second trip, but if the boat is the second or third trip, the full fare is paid.
-
The discount limit
.
Red SUBE does not limit the number of discounts per day that the passenger can receive, but it does establish that for each section it is possible to obtain, at most, a saving equivalent to the current
minimum bus fare
(today $270).
-
Cumulative with the Social Rate
.
Passengers who receive help from ANSES pay 55% less on the first trip,
77.5%
less on the second;
and from the third,
88.7%
less.
MDG