Melitrén, also known as Tren del Maipo[2] is a planned 61 km commuter railway line in the Chilean capital of Santiago, designed to link it with neighbouring town Melipilla, to be operated by Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado.

Tren del Maipo
Reserved platforms for the line in Estación Central
Overview
LocaleSantiago, Melipilla
Termini
Stations12
Service
TypeCommuter rail
Operator(s)EFE
Ridership60 million a year (estimated)[1]
History
Opened2025
Technical
Line length61 km (37.90 mi)
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Route map
Melitrén

Background edit

EFE had been planning a suburban service between Santiago and Melipilla since the mid-1990s. The project got to the tendering stage, but there were no bidders due to an underestimated budget requirement and disagreements between EFE and Santiago Metro over the location of the city centre terminal. However the first stage as far as Malloco formed part of the company's 2014-16 development plan. Yet, works were not initiated, one problem being an inability to obtain environmental approval. In May 2019, environmental approval was granted for the project to introduce a commuter rail service running 25km from Santiago to Malloco on the line to Melipilla. Construction of this first stage is due to begin in 2020 and open in 2025, at a cost of US$1.56 billion.[3]

Stations edit

  • Alameda  
  • Estación Central 2
  • Lo Errázuriz  
  • Américo Vespucio
  • Pajaritos
  • Tres Poniente
  • Ciudad Satélite
  • Padre Hurtado
  • Malloco
  • Talagente
  • El Monte
  • Melipilla

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "US$4.5bn plan to put 'Chile on rails'". 23 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  2. ^ Manuel Valencia (9 October 2013). "Licitan servicio ferroviario que unirá Santiago y Melipilla en 45 minutos a contar de 2016". Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Santiago to expand commuter rail network". 20 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.