The electric buses added to the metropolitan public transport system of Asunción through Taiwan’s cooperation have seen strong user adoption in their first months of operation. Between January and May 2026, the units recorded over 350,000 validations, according to data from the Viceministerio de Transporte, although other transport sector sources report up to 412,000 validations during the same period.
The Mariscal López Avenue corridor has established itself as the most used by passengers, with more than 217,000 validations since its inauguration in mid-February. Eusebio Ayala Avenue, the first corridor to begin operation on January 1, logged about 114,000 validations during the period, with alternative reports indicating up to 128,000. Meanwhile, the Aviadores del Chaco Avenue corridor, opened in early March, accumulated approximately 61,000 validations, with some sources citing up to 66,550.
Peak demand hours are concentrated between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and in the late afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., coinciding with the main commuting times of the workday.
The fleet of 70 electric buses operates under a leasing arrangement managed by private companies, while ownership of the units remains with the Paraguayan State. The service contract was awarded through an international public tender conducted by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) and the Viceministerio de Transporte. Of the total, 30 vehicles belong to the State and are operated by Consorcio Arapoti on lines E1, E2, and E3; the other 40 units were incorporated by the company Ñandutí to serve lines 165 and 27.
The buses run daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a fare of G. 3,400. The units feature air conditioning, accessibility ramps, spaces adapted for wheelchair users, foldable seats, USB chargers, and a video surveillance system with nine internal cameras and four detection cameras. The operating model includes fixed, clearly marked stops along the routes, a measure designed to speed up travel and reduce journey times.
This development matters beyond Paraguay as it highlights Taiwan-Paraguay cooperation in promoting sustainable public transport solutions. The modernization of the electric bus system aligns with global trends toward sustainable transport and may serve as a regional model for adopting clean and efficient technologies.