Starting in March, public utility rates will increase in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), encompassing essential services such as gas, electricity, water, and bus transportation. The adjustments reflect a continuation of the government's policy on subsidy segmentation, which is influenced by users' geographical locations. For instance, the state-owned water company, AySA, will implement a 4% increase for potable water, following similar hikes in January and February.

The new adjustments will lead to different monthly average costs depending on the income levels of households. For high-income areas, average monthly bills will rise from ARS 31,709 to ARS 32,977, while in medium-income zones the rise will adjust bills from ARS 28,797 to ARS 29,948. The recent increases in public utilities are part of a broader economic context in Argentina, where government measures and adjustments in tariffs aim to balance cost of living with the need to address subsidies and maintain essential services.

This increase in public utility rates, particularly at such a challenging time for the economy, can have significant implications for residents in AMBA. As inflation continues to be a pressing issue, many households are likely to feel the pinch of these rising costs, leading to potential pressures on public sentiment against the government's economic policies. Moreover, with public transportation costs rising along with utilities, the overall cost of living in the metropolitan region is set to increase further, creating challenges for those already struggling financially.