Quito metro finally running

The capital of Ecuador has built a 22.5km north–south metro line with 15 stations (19.5km underground), but its proper opening has been beset by delays. 

 

The official inauguration was in December 2022, followed by a trial service and then peak-hour revenue service from 5 January 2023. However the whole line was shut down on 11 May 2023 due to administrative and technical problems, including the QR code ticketing system. 

 

The line has cost USD 2.009bn, including a USD 40M loan from the European Investment Bank, but 63% of the cost has come from the municipal budget. 

 

The line was built by Acciona and the operator is Metro Medellín of Colombia and Transdev. CAF has supplied 18 six-car trains. 

 

On 1 December 2023 operations resumed with all-day revenue service for the first time.