A long-standing dispute over bus services to Machu Picchu, Peru’s popular tourist destination, recently led to 1,400 stranded tourists requiring evacuation. The conflict intensified after local protests regarding the bidding process for the lucrative bus route.

• The incumbent bus company, Consettur, has operated the 20-minute route for 30 years, transporting approximately 4,500 people daily from Aguas Calientes.
• The dispute involves Consettur losing its license to a rival firm, San Antonio de Torontoy, amidst legal challenges and concerns from local communities vying for a share of the bus income.
• A round-trip bus ticket costs $24 for foreigners and $15 for Peruvians, while train tickets to Aguas Calientes range from $140 to $2,000, with only 10% of Machu Picchu entry ticket sales remaining in the local region.