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, followed by a bus for the final leg.
Back in September, local protesters blocked the railway line to Aguas Calientes with rocks, incensed that Consettur was being replaced following what they saw as an insufficiently open bidding process. This resulted in Peruvian authorities having to clear the tracks and evacuate tourists on special train services.
A number of locals have expressed discontent over Consettur's monopoly on the lucrative bus service, which they believe should have been more competitively awarded. The bidding process has faced scrutiny from residents who feel sidelined in the decision-making.
While Consettur's license expired in September, they are ambiguously continuing to run operations due to ongoing legal battles involving the new operator, San Antonio de Torontoy.
An Australian tourist, Annalise Jaksic, voiced concerns about the high costs associated with traveling to Machu Picchu, while locals like the mayor, Elvis La Torre, also critique the allocation of revenues from entry fees, claiming that only 10% stays within the local community.
Conclusion: The situation surrounding Machu Picchu's transport services emphasizes not only the struggle between local communities and business operations but also highlights the broader implications for tourist experiences and local economies amid administrative uncertainties in Peru.
