In brief
A recent conflict involving the bus service to Machu Picchu has resulted in the evacuation of 1,400 tourists. This stems from a legal dispute as current provider Consettur faces competition from a new operator. Local protests over the service reveal deeper issues about tourism management and the distribution of revenue from ticket sales.
Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th Century Inca city, is Peru's most popular tourist destination, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Yet a continuing dispute over the buses that take visitors up to the mountain-top site recently saw some 1,400 stranded tourists needing to be evacuated.
Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón is head of operations for bus company Consettur, which for the past 30 years has transported some 4,500 people every day to Machu Picchu from the local town of Aguas Calientes. It is a 20-minute journey, and the only alternative is an arduous, steep, two-hour walk.
He admits that in the past few months there have been some conflicts between people from different communities here. This conflict revolves around Consettur losing its license to a rival bus firm in this remote part of Peru, where, unless you want to hike over Andes mountains, the only access is by public transport.
To get to Machu Picchu without walking, tourists must first take a train to Aguas Calientes, which takes from two to three and a half hours, and then transfer to a bus for the final leg.
Back in September, local protestors blocked the railway line to Aguas Calientes with rocks, resulting in Peruvian authorities having to clear the tracks and evacuate tourists on special train services. Protestors were unhappy that Consettur was being replaced following what they deemed an insufficiently open bidding process.
Consettur, which holds a significant share of local bus services, is currently operating despite its license expiring in September due to ongoing legal disputes, preventing the new service San Antonio de Torontoy from operating.
Local feelings about the ticket prices and revenue distribution complicate matters further. The Mayor of Aguas Calientes expressed concerns that only 10% of ticket sales for Machu Picchu remain in the area.
As the row continues, tourists have expressed frustration over costs, claiming the ticketing process is convoluted and expensive.
Tourism leaders in the region advocate for a more unified approach to public transport and managing tourist experiences at Machu Picchu to ensure local communities benefit adequately from the tourism boom.
