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Mexico City Launches 'Las Ardillas' Bus Route and Pledges 2 Billion Pesos for 500 RTP Buses

City officials say the rollout will shorten commutes in Milpa Alta while a formal procurement aims to bring new buses into service in early 2027.

Overview

  • The RTP inaugurated the Ruta 'Las Ardillas' with 10 new Volvo Euro 6 buses on Sunday to link San Bartolomé Xicomulco, Xochimilco and the El Ajolote light-rail station for an estimated 1,700 daily riders and travel-time cuts up to 30 minutes.
  • The government committed 2,000 million pesos from the Fideicomiso de la Licencia Permanente to buy up to 500 additional RTP buses, with a licitación starting this year and deliveries targeted for early 2027 (reports vary between March and May).
  • Officials say the RTP fleet in operation has grown to about 900 buses from 690 at the start of the administration after buying 300 vehicles and restoring out-of-service units through maintenance.
  • The new 'Ardillas' units are 80-passenger Volvo Euro 6 diesel buses equipped with six surveillance cameras, GPS, a panic button, ramps, kneeling systems and spaces for wheelchairs and assistance animals to improve safety and accessibility.
  • The launch is paired with short-term road works and longer planning steps: repaving of the Xicomulco–Xochimilco stretch is set to begin in September with a roughly 50 km Milpa Alta program in October, and a proposed Cablebús will proceed only after further community consultations.