Bus Burns in Santiago's Plaza Baquedano as Transport Cost Protests Escalate

A bus burned near the Plaza Baquedano in Santiago, Chile, also known as the Plaza Italia, on October 18 as mass protests turned violent.

The large-scale protests, sparked by concerns over the cost of living, follow days of fare-dodging and other action against rising transportation costs.

The Guardian reported activists have jumped train station turnstiles, pulled emergency brakes on trains and vandalized barriers.

Government authorities said the fare was not rising for everyone; Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Gloria Hutt noted that students were exempt from the increase and would continue to pay the same flat fare that they’ve been paying at 230 pesos ($0.32 USD) per journey.

The city’s metro system was expected to be closed through the weekend. Credit: Álvaro Ruiz Mardones via Storyful