Some 5,000 active-duty military personnel will have access to free monthly tickets
An agreement between the Ministries of National Defense and Transport and Public Works, and the National Association of Road Bus Transport Companies (Anetra) will allow some 5,000 military personnel, who work in units far from their place of residence, to access two free monthly tickets. “For the military family, it means correcting an oversight,” said the Minister of Defense, Armando Castaingdebat.
The Minister of Transport and Public Works, José Luis Falero; the Undersecretary of National Defense, Marcelo Montaner; the President of Anetra, Walter Sosa, and the commanders of the three Armed Forces also participated in the activity.
“For the military family, it means correcting an oversight,” Castaingdebat said in his speech, referring to the objective of the agreement. He specified that the cost of the interdepartmental round-trip ticket, for those who live in border areas and work in the south of the country, represents approximately 10% of the salary they receive.
He also explained that distance from loved ones and from one’s place of residence increases the possibility of developing mental health problems. The official explained that the agreement will reach some 5,000 officers and will mean an investment of 41,000,000 pesos for the ministry.
Falero, meanwhile, highlighted the social component of the agreement and reflected on the complex economic reality faced by some military personnel. He predicted that the measure could become a definitive solution in the future.
The initiative makes it possible to grant two monthly round-trip public transportation tickets to service members who serve in military units in a department other than the one where their family resides.
The agreement also includes a reduction in the cost of the ticket by Anetra, authorized by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, and the Ministry of Defense will cover the remaining amount of the ticket.
