The Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) of Quito has announced a temporary suspension of new vehicle registration procedures to help expedite the processing of over 3,700 pending applications. This decision comes after a significant disruption in the registration system due to the closure of the National Transit Agency (ANT) and the AXIS 4.0 system, which affected operations from January 30 to February 8, 2026. The AMT aims to clear the backlog created during this period and has taken steps to address the issue by resuming services with 11 authorized users since February 9.

As of March 20, the AMT has processed 2,567 applications while an alarming number of 3,750 applications remain unprocessed. To manage this situation effectively, the agency has announced that between March 23 and March 31, they will not accept any new registrations from dealerships, direct imports, tax exemptions, or any related procedures. This is part of a broader strategy to streamline activities and ensure that existing applications are dealt with promptly.

The implications of this decision highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the AMT and the urgency to implement measures that can efficiently deal with the growing backlog resulting from previous operational disruptions. By prioritizing existing applications and temporarily halting new submissions, the AMT is hoping to restore normalcy in vehicle registrations, which is essential for residents needing new vehicles and for the overall traffic management system in Quito.