Chile Allows Larger Shared Taxis Under Updated Vehicle Rules

Chile has opened a larger-vehicle option for its taxis colectivos, the shared taxis that serve urban, suburban and rural routes. Changes to Decree 212 took effect on October 13, according to the transport ministry’s October 26 announcement. Vehicles may now have up to nine seats including the driver, allowing a maximum of eight passengers.

Capacity Changes Within Existing Safety Conditions

The previous rule limited shared taxis to two rows of seats. The new arrangement allows operators to choose larger models while maintaining requirements including four doors and transverse seating rows. The ministry reports that around 90 larger vehicle models have been approved for purchase by operators.

This changes the permitted carrying capacity of a vehicle rather than automatically increasing the capacity supplied on every route. The ministry contrasts a four-passenger vehicle with one carrying eight. That is a doubling of the stated passenger limit, not evidence that ridership, service frequency or operator revenue has doubled. An operator still has to obtain and put a suitable vehicle into service.

The Fleet-Age Rules Change Too

The maximum age at first registration rises from one to five years. The replacement period in the Metropolitan Region increases from three to five years, aligning it with other regions except Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá and Magallanes, where seven years remains. The maximum operating age for shared taxis is 15 years nationally.

These provisions affect which vehicles can enter the fleet and when operators can replace them. Alongside the larger-seat option, they widen the choices available within the continuing technical rules. They do not establish that a larger vehicle is the best choice for every service. Demand over the route and the number of passengers actually carried remain essential to that judgment.

The ministry reports more than 57,000 shared taxis nationally, including approximately 13,000 in the Metropolitan Region. The rule therefore concerns an established transport service rather than a small pilot. The immediate development is a change in the vehicles operators are allowed to use; evidence of subsequent service improvements will require observation of how that option is taken up.