The plot of the 2004 movie El abrazo partido revolves around one of Balvanera's many shopping galerías (galleries). The block of Pueyrredón avenue across Plaza Once features a busy bazaar-like commercial area known as La Recova. The Abasto shopping mall was the city's wholesale produce market until the late 1980s; its history is closely associated with the life and career of tango singer Carlos Gardel. The area around the market used to contain produce warehouses and low-rent housing for the laborers; with its conversion to a high-end mall, the area experienced a gentrification process from the mid-1990s that was slowed by the 2001 economic crisis; but has resumed at a record pace, since. Transportation Being close to the downtown district, Balvanera has access to diverse transportation options. Metro Balvanera has access to five out of the six Subte lines. The downtown area is a short subway trip from anywhere in Balvanera. All intercity train stations are accessible from Balvanera by Subte. Bus Many bus lines go through Balvanera, including the Colectivo 60 line, venerated by locals as el internacional, because its route passes many city landmarks. Other important lines include Colectivo 19, which has been the subject of a composition by Lito Vitale. Around Plaza Once, numerous long-distance bus depots provide service to major locations in Argentina and neighboring countries. Since its opening in 1980, most long-distance and international bus lines have their terminals at the Retiro bus station, accessible via subte or bus lines such as Colectivo 6. Train The Once de Septiembre train station provides commuter service to the western neighbourhoods and suburbs. Road Westbound: The main avenues are Independencia, Rivadavia and Córdoba. Eastbound: The main avenues are Belgrano and Corrientes. Both run all the way to the former shoreline and the Puerto Madero area. Northbound: The main avenue is Entre Ríos; north of Rivadavia, its name changes to Callao. Southbound: The main avenue is Pueyrredón; south of Rivadavia, its name changes to Jujuy. During peak hours, most of Balvanera's streets are congested, some of them heavily. Most streets carry bus traffic; the main avenues have special lanes for buses and taxis. Entre Ríos and Jujuy avenues have on-ramps and off-ramps to Autopista 25 de Mayo :es:Autopista 25 de Mayo, an elevated toll road that provides rapid access to the western suburbs and to Ezeiza airport. References External links Barrio de Balvanera ]. Information and statistics . News