Wikipedia

TuBus

TuBus is a public transport system that has been operating in Guatemala City since May 2023. It currently has one of four routes that are part of the first phase of the system. The routes serve as feeder routes for the Transmetro system.[1][2]

TuBus
TuBus unit on route 104
TuBus unit on route 104
Overview
LocaleGuatemala City, Guatemala
Transit typeBus
Number of lines6
WebsiteMovilidad Urbana
Operation
Began operation6 July 2023
Operator(s)Municipality of Guatemala, Private Sector (Partial rolling stock)
Rolling stock69

History

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The TuBus project was presented by Mayor Ricardo Quiñonez during the 2019 electoral campaign as a municipal initiative aimed at modernizing the urban public transport system, which at the time was characterized by structural deficiencies and security problems. During that period, the so-called "red buses" recorded frequent robberies and irregular service, and many had stopped operating since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

In October 2022, the Municipality of Guatemala formalized the acquisition through an eight-year lease-to-own scheme of 69 units destined for the first phase of the system.[4] In January 2023, the municipality announced that the first route would begin operations in May of that year, presented as an alternative to the decreasing coverage of Transurbano.

On July 6, 2023, the initial phase of operation began with free trips for users.[5] Subsequently, on September 4, the fare of Q5.00 per trip was made official, set by the City Council and applied from the 8th of the same month.[6] The announcement generated dissatisfaction among sectors of users, although the fare remained unchanged.

In June 2024, routes 801 and 802 came into operation, originating in the Bethania neighborhood in zone 7.[7] Months later, on October 28, 2024, 15 electric buses began operations on route 5, located in zone 5;[8][9] additionally, in December it was announced that route 404 would begin its testing phase in January 2025.[10][11]

In November 2024, the start of the trial period for route 402 was reported, whose route connects Santa Fe, in zone 13, with the El Trébol area, in zone 12.[12]

Finally, in September 2025, the Municipality of Guatemala announced the incorporation of 17 new routes and 111 additional units with low-emission technology. According to the municipality, the expansion would be organized into two axes:

  • Perimetral Axis, composed of eight lines intended to skirt the city.
  • Radial Axis, with nine lines that would connect central zones with peripheral areas.[13]

Fare payments

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The service is paid through the Tarjeta Ciudadana (Citizen Card), contactless credit and debit cards, and the cost of the trip is Q5.00.[14]

Buses

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The Municipality of Guatemala purchased 69 Buses Volvo, which were made in Brazil. The buses follow the Euro 6 standard for emissions, and are completely low-floor with ramps on board for wheelchair users.[15] A few of the buses were later repainted for Transmetro operations on Route 5.

TuBus Routes

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TuBus routes are mostly centered around downtown and north-south travel within Guatemala City. After the decommissioning of the Red buses that used to operate in the city, a number of areas in the south and west side of the city were left with no transit connections. TuBus Route 104 began service as a north-south local line that connects to multiple Transmetro stations along its route, acting as a feeder and last-mile connector.[16] Routes 801 and 802 provide more direct connections between the historic centre and the commercial centres of La Terminal, while also connecting with Transmetro lines 1, 7, 12, and 13.[17][18] Route 105 is so far the only route that serves the General Cementary, while connecting to Transmetro lines 2, 7, and 12.[19] Route 305 serves the south-east corner of the city, and connects with line 13 of the Transmetro.[20] Route 402 is the only route serving La Aurora International Airport, and connecting to Transmetro line 12.[21]

The following is a table showing the currently operational routes, operated by TuBus.

Route number Destinations
104 Barrio San Antonio Z. 6 – Cementerio La Villa Z. 14
105 Parque Jocotenango Z. 2 – 9a Avenida Z. 7
305 Blvr. Vista Hermosa Z. 15 – Terminal Z. 9
402 ✈ Avenida Petapa Z. 12 – Col. Santa Fe Z. 13
801 Parque Los Pinos Z. 7 – Terminal Z. 9
802 Parque Los Pinos Z. 17 – 4a Avenida Z. 1

✈ denotes route servicing La Aurora International Airport

Transmetro Routes Operated by TuBus

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The Municipality of Guatemala announced that Line 5 of the Transmetro BRT system would be operated by TuBus, under the Transmetro banner. This essentially makes Ruta 5 the only express service on the TuBus network. The route uses 40-feet low-floor buses and operates in mixed traffic.[22]

a TuBus bus stop pole denoting it as a route 104 stop.
A TuBus bus stop pole
Route number Destinations
Ruta 5 Parque Colon Z. 1 – Puente de la Penitenciaria Z. 4

Infrastructure

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The bus stops built for the TuBus system are simple in nature, often featuring just a sign attached to a pole which denotes the routes servicing the stop. This minimalist approach allows for a fast deployment of routes, and for TuBus to test out route alignments before revenue service.[23] Some bus stops are also upgraded with new sidewalks and upgraded lighting.

References

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  1. ↑ Unidas, Emisoras (2023-07-06). "Ponen en marcha el proyecto Tu Bus en la Ciudad de Guatemala". Emisoras Unidas (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  2. ↑ "Estas serán las rutas del nuevo TuBus, el sistema de transporte que llega en mayo". www.soy502.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  3. ↑ CA, Archivo (2023-01-27). ""Tu Bus" comenzaría operaciones en mayo próximo". Canal Antigua. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  4. ↑ Valdes, Mirja (2022-10-11). "TuMuni compra 69 buses para reorganizar las rutas de la ciudad capital". Ojoconmipisto.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  5. ↑ Unidas, Emisoras (2023-07-06). "Ponen en marcha el proyecto Tu Bus en la Ciudad de Guatemala". Emisoras Unidas (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  6. ↑ Galindo, Jessica Pérez (2023-09-05). "Oficializan costo de pasaje para "Tu Bus" de MuniGuate". La Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  7. ↑ Vi, Sandra (2024-07-01). "Colonias de la zona 7, 3 y 1 tendrán nuevo servicio de TuBus". La Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  8. ↑ "Presentan los primeros buses eléctricos del sistema TuBus". www.soy502.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  9. ↑ "Iniciaron a operar buses eléctricos en la ruta 5 de TuBus". www.guatemala.com (in Spanish). 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  10. ↑ "¿En dónde pasará? Anuncian nueva ruta de sistema de transporte "TuBus"". www.soy502.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  11. ↑ "Recorrido de la ruta 404 de TuBus en Zona 13". www.guatemala.com (in Spanish). 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  12. ↑ "Ruta 402 de TuBus que recorre la Zona 13". www.guatemala.com (in Spanish). 2024-11-26. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  13. ↑ Peña, Yesica (2025-09-20). "MuniGuate anuncia 17 nuevas rutas de TuBus en la Ciudad de Guatemala". La Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  14. ↑ "Formas de recargar la Tarjeta Ciudadana para Transmetro y TuBus en Guatemala" (in Spanish). 2025-05-26. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  15. ↑ "Guatemala recibe buses Volvo BRT /Titulares de Noticias de Brasil". Titulares. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  16. ↑ "TuBus Ruta 104". Movilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "TuBus Ruta 801". Movilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "TuBus Ruta 802". Mobilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "TuBus Ruta 105". Movilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "TuBus Ruta 305". Movilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "TuBus Ruta 402". Movilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  22. ↑ ""TuBus Ruta 5"". Movilidad Urbana. Muniguate. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "¿Que Información Tienen los Totems de TuBus?". Facebook. Tu Bus Muniguate. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
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