Cuenca Announces International Tender for New Southern Transfer Terminal: A Major Leap in Urban Mobility

CUENCA, AZUAY – July 24, 2025 – Cuenca is on the cusp of a significant transformation in its transportation infrastructure with the announcement of an upcoming international tender for the construction of the new Transfer Terminal in Narancay, often referred to as the Southern Terminal. This ambitious project, expected to see its international bidding process launched between late May and early June, is poised to fundamentally reorganize transport flow from the city's southern reaches, seamlessly connecting it with the Tranvía system and urban bus lines. This initiative promises enhanced connectivity for all residents and visitors, including the city's vibrant expat community.

The strategic location of this new terminal in the south of Cuenca is pivotal to its objective of centralizing and optimizing interprovincial and intercantonal bus traffic. To bring this complex to fruition, the site, which until recently housed the Narancay commercial platform, was carefully cleared. Merchants were successfully relocated to a purpose-built platform this July, freeing up the necessary space for construction to begin. Additionally, municipal spaces, including laboratories and machinery parking areas, have been designated for integration into the new Southern Terminal complex, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient hub.

With an investment exceeding $10 million, the Southern Terminal is designed to embody efficiency and comfort. Travelers can anticipate expansive walking areas, ample parking, comfortable waiting halls, modern ticket booths, clearly numbered boarding gates for improved organization, LED TVs providing real-time information, and a robust surveillance camera system. One of the most innovative aspects of the design is its direct, unified access to the future Narancay Park, creating an integrated "platform" that blends transportation with green, recreational spaces. Furthermore, the terminal will feature a dedicated wing providing direct connection to the Tranvía station and urban bus lines, consolidating all modes of public transportation into one cohesive station. For expats, this means simpler and safer navigation for those coming from the southern part of the country or those heading in that direction. Additionally, the municipality seeks to improve the tourism experience by reducing language barriers and the complexities of multiple connection points.

The overarching vision behind the Southern Terminal is to completely replace Cuenca's current land terminal, which has become insufficient and inadequate due to its location and associated issues of informal businesses and crime in its vicinity. While the future of the existing terminal's space remains under discussion—with possibilities including a new park or public area for community enjoyment—its relocation is a crucial step towards a more secure and orderly Cuenca. Looking ahead, the Municipality is already studying the creation of a Northern Terminal, currently in the planning phase, with construction works anticipated to commence in 2026. This extensive expansion of transportation infrastructure underscores Mayor Cristian Zamora's administration's commitment to modernizing and enhancing the "dignity" of public spaces, elements that undoubtedly elevate Cuenca's quality of life and its attractiveness as a place to live and visit.