Costa Rica goes for tram-trains

On 30 September a USD 821.5M international finance package was agreed to meet the cost of two 1067mm-gauge train-tram lines serving the capital city of San Jose (population 3M), 27km south-east to Cartago and Paraiso, and 22km north-west to Herdia and Alajuela, using existing rail alignments that will be modernised and electrified, plus a street running link between Atlantico and Pacifico stations in the city. 28 LRVs will be required. The diesel services on these lines carry about 3.4M passengers/year, but there is the potential to increase this to 36.5M/year with the tram-trains. Finance will come from EIB Global, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Green Climate Fund. 

 

Rodrigo Chavez, President of Costa Rica, said, ’The electric train is no longer just a dream, or a promise left on paper. Today it is a concrete and viable decision, financially backed by three international entities that believe in Costa Rica and its people. Unlike previous proposals that were unsustainable, this one is sold, fiscally responsible and will not require state subsidies, Because the train of progress doesn’t wait - we’re all onboard’. 

 

San Jose had a first-generation electric tramway from 1899 to 1950.