**Why is the Tijuana City Council Facing a 2 Billion Pesos Lawsuit?**
The Tijuana City Council is embroiled in a legal battle over claims of negligence leading to losses amounting to 2 billion pesos. Two major companies, SITT de Tijuana S.A de C.V. and Soproes Baja S.A. de C.V., have lodged lawsuits against the municipality, alleging the city’s failures have caused significant financial setbacks related to the Integrated Transportation System of Tijuana (SITT).
Arnulfo Guerrero León, the Secretary of Government, dismissed the claims as outrageous and unjustified. He maintained that despite the possibilities for negotiation, the city is prepared to engage in a lengthy administrative process to defend its coffers. “We will win these lawsuits as a city. We cannot allow an individual entity to harm the municipal budget,” he stated.
The former mayor, Montserrat Caballero Ramírez, confirmed in November 2023 that SITT S.A. demanded 500 million pesos, accusing the city of permitting the use of two stations by an external company, Mexicoach, for passenger transfers to the United States. Additionally, complaints from SITT de Tijuana S.A. of C.V. for 1.3 billion pesos and Seproes Baja for another 300 million pesos have heightened the stakes.
The city’s responsibilities have been complicated by two ongoing cases in the State Administrative Justice Tribunal of Baja California, which involve the city’s alleged breaches of agreement with SITT S.A. Moreover, the abandoned state of many SITT stations underscores the system’s struggles.
**Attempts to Revive the SITT System**
Initially launched in 2013, the SITT system faced multiple setbacks due to poor planning and accusations of favoritism. Despite plans for a broad, interconnected bus system, only two buses currently operate, carrying about 500 passengers daily—far from the anticipated target of 295,000.
In October 2023, the governor reached an agreement with Tijuana officials to hand over control of SITT to the state. However, Jorge Alberto Gutiérrez Topete from the Institute of Sustainable Mobility (Imos) noted that this transfer can’t occur until the city resolves the active lawsuits. “It’s something to discuss with the company later. For now, we can’t intervene as it’s a private matter concerning the city,” he stated.
Efforts to breathe new life into the SITT include exploring three different strategies, though specifics remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, the city has closed part of Avenida Revolución for pedestrian use, affecting the route of existing buses. The government assures that these changes are justified and in line with global practices for transit systems.
**Tell us in the comments: Do you think Tijuana will manage to overcome this legal and logistical hurdle with the SITT System?**
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**Secondary Report: Tijuana’s Transport Dilemma: Legal and Operational Challenges**
The Tijuana transportation infrastructure continues to face formidable challenges beyond the ongoing SITT lawsuit. Critics and officials alike point out a lack of investment and upgrades as key inhibitors to progress.
One proposed remedy is the expansion of the SITT route to reach the Eastern Zone, accommodating underserved city areas. The city’s mobility strategy also involves modernizing its taxi fleet from small vehicles to larger capacity units, accordingly addressed by the Institute of Sustainable Mobility to better meet public demand.
Meanwhile, the state grapples with economic and security hurdles, amplified by the prospect of significant changes in U.S. administration policies. These external pressures further complicate the push for enhanced transportation solutions and infrastructure, forcing local leadership to seek federal support to subsidize public transport.
Recent developments have prompted discussions on the need for the National Government’s involvement in reviving the struggling SITT project. With Tijuana’s administration exploring every avenue to ensure the city’s mobility success, the spotlight remains firmly on finding practical resolutions to these layered issues.