Santiago de Chile Metro | Construpedia

Santiago de Chile Metro

Introduction

The Santiago Metro is the metropolitan railway "Metro (transport system)") whose network covers part of the capital of Chile. This transportation system is managed by the state-owned company Metro S.A. It is the first of the two Chilean metropolitan railway systems, along with the Limache-Puerto de Valparaíso Train and is part of the Metropolitan Mobility Network.

This metro is one of the most modern systems in Latin America,[6] being also the most extensive network in South America and the second largest network in Latin America after the Mexico City Metro.[7] It is also the seventh most regular in frequency worldwide.[8][9][10] It has seven lines, 143 stations and an extension of 149 km.[3].

In 2023, 2,027,198 passengers were transported on a business day.[11] Its historical record for daily traffic took place on May 3, 2019: 2,951,962 passengers,[12] while its historical record for annual traffic was in 2018, transporting more than 721 million passengers.[13].

Along with the seven lines currently operational, it is estimated that the future Line 7 and the extension of Line 6 will be enabled in 2028. The new Line 8 is expected to be fully operational in 2030, as is the first section of Line 9 between Bio Bío "Bío Bío (Santiago Metro station)") and La Pintana. Finally, the sections between Bío Bío and Puente Cal y Canto "Puente Cal y Canto (station)"), and La Pintana and Puente Alto "Plaza de Puente Alto (station)"), should be delivered to the public in 2032 and 2033, respectively.[14][15].

History

Beginnings

During the first decades of the century there were various private initiatives to build an underground metropolitan railway. The engineer Luis Lagarrigue obtained the first concession in 1924, which expired due to lack of resources and a definitive project; He would later present new projects in subsequent years, which were also not realized.[16] In the 1930s, other interested parties presented projects, including Karl Brunner, the Ministry of the Interior—headed by Luis Salas Romo—and Alberto Fellenberg Galleguillos.

The idea of building a metropolitan railway in the city of Santiago by the Chilean State dates back to 1944, when a way was sought to improve the chaotic transportation that existed after the demographic explosion that occurred in the city since the early 1930s.[17] However, the ideas only began to materialize during the 1960s, when the government opened an international tender for the development of an urban transportation system. On October 24, 1968, the government of Eduardo Frei Montalva approved the project presented by the Franco-Chilean consortium BCEOM-SOFRETU-CADE, in which the creation of five lines with an extension of approximately 60 km was proposed in 1990. On May 29, 1969, it was agreed to build the Santiago Metro and the financing methods for the works were defined.[18] On the 19th, it was agreed to build the Santiago Metro. June of the same year, the Minister of Public Works, Sergio Ossa, announced on national radio and television the construction of the Santiago Metro,[19] and the next day work began at the intersection of Alameda and Las Rejas avenues, where the Las Rejas station "Las Rejas (station)") of Line 1 would finally be located.[20].

Santiago de Chile Metro

Introduction

History

Beginnings

Project changes

Despite the rapid growth of the network, the serious economic crisis that affected the country in 1982 put the realization of the original project in check. Added to this were studies that showed significant population growth in the southeastern sector of the capital at the expense of the northern area, where future extensions of the service were planned.

To cover the demands that would be generated, Line 2 changed its route: the extension that would start from Los Héroes to the north was turned to surround the historic center of the city, crossing Line 1 again in Baquedano "Baquedano (Santiago Metro)") and then running along part of Vicuña Mackenna Avenue. Meanwhile, Line 3 projected along Independencia "Avenida Independencia (Chile)") and Irarrázaval avenues was expected to cover the lack of Line 2 in the northern sector.

However, plans were affected again when on March 3, 1985, an earthquake devastated much of the Chilean Central Valley. Most of the funds allocated to the construction of the extension of Line 2 and Line 3 were used to cover the costs of rebuilding the city. Of the planned works, the only one that was completed was the opening in 1986 and 1987 of two new stations to the north on Line 2: Santa Ana "Santa Ana (station)") and Mapocho "Puente Cal y Canto (station)"), respectively. This last station would later change its name, after during the excavations of this project the notable discovery of the remains of the old Calicanto Bridge, emblem of the city for more than a century, occurred. That same year, the Metrobus transportation system "Metrobus (Santiago de Chile)") debuted, from the Escuela Militar, Lo Ovalle and Las Rejas stations "Las Rejas (station)").

At the institutional level, the administration of the Santiago Metro changed at the end of the decade. The former General Directorate of Metro, belonging to the Ministry of Public Works, was transformed into a public limited company with state capital called Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro S.A. in accordance with the provisions of Law 18772, published on January 28, 1989.

With the resurgence of the economy after the second "economic miracle", the Metro extension plans gained new life. The growth of the southeastern sector of the capital had exploded during the 1980s and La Florida "La Florida (Chile)") had become the most populous commune in the country, so the creation of a new line to that area was urgent. The first plans were presented in 1989 and in 1991 its construction was announced by President Patricio Aylwin. The new line would start in Baquedano towards the south to the Américo Vespucio Beltway, following the axis of Vicuña Mackenna.

Line 5 was inaugurated on April 5, 1997 by President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle. The new line initially had an extension of 10.3 km, which included an initial underground part under Bustamante Park, subsequently emerging to rise in the form of a viaduct over Vicuña Mackenna, submerging upon reaching the Bellavista de La Florida terminal "Bellavista de La Florida (station)").

Finally, in March 2000, a new section of Line 5 was inaugurated that crossed the historic center of the capital. The connection between Baquedano and Santa Ana, through the Plaza de Armas "Plaza de Armas (Santiago Metro)" and Bellas Artes "Bellas Artes (Santiago Metro station)" stations, left the three existing lines intertwined until then.

Expansion

With the arrival of Ricardo Lagos to the Presidency in 2000, one of his goals was the transformation of the capital's transportation system. To this end, the extension of Line 5 to the west was designed to reach Quinta Normal "Quinta Normal (Santiago Metro station)"), following Cathedral Street, and Line 2 to the north and south to join both ends of the Américo Vespucio Beltway.

However, the biggest announcement would occur in 2002 when Lagos announced the construction of a fourth Metro line, which would surround much of the southeastern area of Américo Vespucio and reach the center of Puente Alto, which had displaced its neighbor La Florida as the most populated commune in the nation. With these new projects, the Metro Network would practically double its total extension by 2010, the date on which the country would celebrate its Bicentennial.

These new projects were designed with the aim of transforming the Santiago Metro into the main articulating axis of the reform plan for the city's transportation system called Transantiago. Along with the extensions, "intermodal stations" were designed in order to allow better interaction between the urban railway and different means of transport, mainly minibuses. The Quinta Normal station "Quinta Normal (Santiago Metro station)") on Line 5, inaugurated in March 2004, was intended as the first of these intermodal stations; However, the delay in the construction of the Alameda Melipilla Train postponed the plans to incorporate a railway station and the construction of the station for minibuses and taxis was later abandoned.[21].

Between 2004 and 2006, various extensions of Line 2 allowed it to practically double its route. On September 8, 2004, Santiago Metro marked a new milestone when it crossed underground the Mapocho River—the city's main channel—by inaugurating the Patronato "Patronato (station)") and Cerro Blanco "Cerro Blanco (station)" stations, arriving for the first time in the commune of Recoleta. At the end of 2004, the southern extension of Line 2 to La Cisterna "La Cisterna (station)") was inaugurated, where an intermodal station was located. Line 2 was extended in two successive sections to the north, opened at the end of 2005 and 2006, respectively. The project, with an investment of 170 million dollars, generated an increase of 27 million passengers annually.[22].

On November 30, 2005, the first section of Line 4 was inaugurated, which included the underground section between the stations Tobalaba "Tobalaba (station)") and Grecia "Grecia (station)"), and the viaduct between Vicente Valdés "Vicente Valdés (station)") and Plaza de Puente Alto "Plaza de Puente Alto (station)"). The section between Grecia and Vicente Valdés, which was temporarily carried out by buses from the Transantiago system, was finally inaugurated on March 2, 2006. Line 4, until that moment, was the longest line in the entire system, with 24.7 kilometers and 22 stations that connect the communes of Providencia "Providencia (Chile)"), Las Condes, Ñuñoa, La Reina, Peñalolén, Macul, La Florida "La Florida (Chile)") and Puente Alto. The new line also introduced a new bodywork, made up of Alstom trains manufactured in Brazil, much larger than those that ran on the other three lines and with a new type of rolling stock, railway rolling. Finally, Line 4 was complemented with the inauguration of a branch, Line 4A, which since August 16, 2006 connects line 2 at La Cisterna station to Vicuña Mackenna station on line 4, through Américo Vespucio Sur.

Transantiago

For many years, a restructuring of Santiago's transportation system was planned, which would allow the different means to be articulated, particularly minibuses and the Metro. This reform, called Transantiago, incorporated the Metro as one of its main axes, facilitating the transfer of passengers from the buses (which would serve as feeders). The payment system between both means of transport was unified with the establishment of the bip! card. and the fare structure was modified, allowing the combination of one or more transfers with a slight or no surcharge.

Transantiago thus became one of the biggest challenges facing the Santiago Metro. These structural changes to the transportation system generated a significant flow of new users, in addition to those incorporated by Line 4 and the extensions of lines 2 and 5. To face this increase in passengers, Metro made a strong investment to avoid the collapse of the network, which included improvements in the access infrastructure to the stations, the arrival of 11 new trains from the Spanish company CAF, reallocation of these between the lines and reconditioning of cars.[23].

On February 10, 2007, Transantiago was launched throughout the city, with disastrous results. Most of the new bus routes collapsed a few hours into the system, forcing hundreds of thousands of users to transfer to the Metro, which provided a more reliable and faster service until that time. In a few days, the number of Metro passengers doubled and many stations collapsed due to large crowds of people. Although in the following days the situation managed to normalize, the metropolitan railway maintained very high occupancy figures, reaching more than 2.4 million users per day and between 5 and 5.5 passengers per square meter. The result of the implementation of Transantiago generated a significant political crisis in the government of Michelle Bachelet.

To face the increase in demand, the Metro extended its operating hours, starting its service at 6:00 and ending it at 11:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. In addition, express services were established on Lines 2, 4 and 5 during the hours of greatest demand, new accesses were created in some stations and the bodywork was increased on Line 1.

Extensions to Maipú and Las Condes

On November 15, 2005, President Ricardo Lagos announced the extension of Line 1 to the east, from Escuela Militar "Escuela Militar (Santiago Metro station)") to the Los Dominicos station "Los Dominicos (station)"), in the commune of Las Condes. To this end, three new stations were built, adding 4 kilometers to the railway network, which were inaugurated on January 7, 2010 during the presidency of Michelle Bachelet.

Along with the extension to Las Condes, one of the most important projects of the service was announced: the extension of the metro to the west, connecting the communes of Maipú "Maipú (Chile)"), Pudahuel, Lo Prado and Quinta Normal to the Metro Network.[24] In this way, the Metro approached the western sector of the city for the first time, reaching Maipú, the most populated commune in the country after displacing Puente Alto in 2008.

On October 31, 2009, the final layout of the extension of Line 5 was approved, starting from the Quinta Normal station "Quinta Normal (Santiago Metro station)") along San Pablo Avenue underground, turning south to come to the surface and travel along Teniente Cruz Avenue and later Pajaritos Avenue before turning underground again and reaching the terminal station, in the Plaza de Armas of Maipú.[25] The first section until The Pudahuel station was delivered on January 12, 2010, while the remaining section to Maipú was opened to the public on February 3, 2011.[26].

Along with the construction of the new extensions, important works were carried out that allowed the Pajaritos station on Line 1 to be renovated to convert it into the terminal of a loop, allowing greater efficiency to the busiest section of said line and the postponed San José de La Estrella station "San José de La Estrella (station)") was inaugurated on Line 4. The Del Sol station "Del Sol (station)") was also built in the extension to Maipú, which serves as a transfer to intercity buses.

In March 2012, the Santiago Metro was chosen as the best metro system in America, a distinction received at the annual Metro Rail dinner held in London, United Kingdom.[27].

Lines 3 and 6

After the controversial launch of Transantiago and the start of the service to Maipú, the Metro management ruled out the planning of new lines until an evaluation of the operation of the service after said changes, which would serve to determine the profitability and need to expand the network. design their own lines, three mandatory designs were presented for everyone: the postponed project of Line 3 between Irarrázaval and Independencia avenues "Avenida Independencia (Chile)"), an extension of Line 4 to the north towards Vitacura or Huechuraba passing through the Costanera Center, an extension of Line 4A towards Maipú "Maipú (Chile)") and two new lines along Santa Rosa Avenue and another along the Los Leones-Macul-La axis Florida.

The existing congestion problems on Line 1 since the implementation of Transantiago forced us to prioritize alternatives that would help decongest it. In 2007, the director of Metro S.A. Clemente Pérez suggested that the alternatives could be the equivalent of the postponed Line 3 or a new line along Santa María Avenue,[30] although a group of construction companies presented a proposal (at a cost of US$900 million) to build an express line under the current Line 1 and with stops at nine important stations.[31] In September 2009, the possibilities were reduced to only three alternatives: the line along Santa María Avenue, Line 3 and a new line from the station. Pedro de Valdivia "Pedro de Valdivia (station)") heading south to the National Stadium, turning west using the old railway line to then reach the future Bicentenario Park City "Parque Bicentenario (Cerrillos)") in Cerrillos "Cerrillos (Chile)").

On December 29, 2009, President Michelle Bachelet announced the construction of the new Line 6 of the Santiago Metro, equivalent to the line between Cerrillos "Cerrillos (Chile)") and Pedro de Valdivia previously mentioned, but achieving the combination with the Tobalaba "Tobalaba (station)") station of Line 4. This design allowed the population in the south of the city to be quickly connected to the financial center of the city, in addition to activating real estate projects along of the deteriorated surroundings of the Zanjón de la Aguada and take advantage of the strip of old railway lines, which would lower costs. The project, with an investment of 900 million dollars,[33] was to be in operation in 2014. The choice of this route over the other options, however, was controversial: some studies indicated that Line 3 would allow transporting more people than Line 6,[34][35] while others pointed to the benefits of Line 6 for the decongestion of Line 1, passage through higher density commercial areas and favoring the population of socioeconomic strata. lower.[36].

The victory of Sebastián Piñera, which put an end to twenty years of Concertación governments "Transition to democracy (Chile)"), and the occurrence of the 2010 Chile earthquake put the construction of Line 6 in doubt. The new government announced that Line 6 would be reevaluated, arguing the new financial reality that existed after the earthquake.[37] However, a few months later the government confirmed the construction of Line 6,[38] which would be added to that of Line 3 jointly, which would be opened between 2017 and 2018.[39] Some modifications were made to the layout of Line 6, reaching Line 1 only in Los Leones "Los Leones (station)") instead of the two original stations, while its route was modified approaching Carlos Valdovinos Avenue instead of Zanjón de la Aguada. In February 2014, a station further to the west was announced, called Lo Errázuriz "Lo Errázuriz (station)"), which will have a track connection to a mechanical workshop, in addition to combining with the Melipilla Metrotren service;[40] This last extension, however, was postponed as the project to Melipilla faced new delays.

The project for lines 3 and 6 established a new construction standard in the Santiago Metro. Both routes were completely underground (something that did not happen since Line 1), incorporated platform doors in the stations and the electrical supply from the tracks was changed to aerial "Pantograph (railway)" power. In November 2013, the tender for 185 cars was awarded to the CAF-Thales consortium, which for the first time had air conditioning and a driverless automatic driving system.[41][42].

On November 2, 2017, the 15 kilometers of Line 6 were inaugurated, incorporating the communes of Cerrillos "Cerrillos (commune)") and Pedro Aguirre Cerda "Pedro Aguirre Cerda (commune)") to the Metro network. Meanwhile, Line 3 was inaugurated on January 22, 2019, more than three decades after the date initially estimated for its construction. The 22-kilometer route made it possible to cross for the first time the communes of Independencia "Independencia (Chile)") and Conchalí, in addition to reaching the commune of Quilicura at its terminal station.

Once the construction of Line 3 was completed, its extension to the north began to reach the center of Quilicura and combine with the future Santiago-Batuco railway line. This extension was inaugurated in September 2023, to which was added an expansion of Line 2 to the communes of El Bosque "El Bosque (Chile)") and San Bernardo "San Bernardo (Chile)") in November of the same year.[43] A second extension of Line 3, to the east towards the Military Hospital, was announced in 2014 but is not in Metro's current plans.[44].

During the month of October 2019, the Santiago metro network was affected by social protests due to the increase in fares for the entire Metropolitan Mobility Network.[45] Initially, high school students carried out massive acts of evasion between October 6 and 11[46][47] The protests soon escalated to several metro stations,[48] interrupting train service on several occasions.[49].

On Friday the 18th the situation escalated and the entire network had to be closed due to attacks on stations and workers.[50][51] At night, after the declaration of the state of emergency by President Sebastián Piñera, several Metro stations were destroyed and burned, some of which were attacked again the next day, even when the curfew was established.[52] Although several people—including Piñera—indicated that the attacks were prepared in advance and coordinated, To date, judicial investigations in this regard have not found any precedents in this regard.[53][54] Simultaneously, complaints were received that the Baquedano station "Baquedano (station)") was used as a detention and torture center by police and soldiers, during the state of emergency.[55][55] However, the investigations carried out by the National Institute of Human Rights and the prosecutor's office found no precedents in this regard;[56] in 2020, the complaints were dismissed and the case was closed.[57].

A week after the so-called social outbreak, 79 stations in the network had some level of damage, with lines 4, 4A and 5 having the largest number of destroyed or vandalized stations.[58] The Metro network was partially reactivated on Monday, October 21, although many stations took months to be reopened due to the level of damage to their infrastructure. On September 25, 2020, the entire network was reopened, after the repair of the Trinidad and Protectora de la Infancia stations.[59] The costs of the damage to Metro were estimated at more than 300 million dollars.[60].

Lines 7, 8 and 9

On June 1, 2017, President Michelle Bachelet announced in her last public account the construction of Metro Line 7.[61] The plan initially included 21 stations along a 25 km extension, between the commune of Renca "Renca (Chile)") in the northwestern sector, and Vitacura in the northeastern sector.[62][63] The route, estimated to open around 2027, is It was designed thinking of a line parallel to the Mapocho River and Line 1, which would allow it to be decongested by approximately 10,000 daily passengers.[63] Line 7 would allow the incorporation into the Network of the communes of Renca "Renca (Chile)"), Cerro Navia and Vitacura,[64] also connecting popular neighborhoods with part of the financial and commercial district of the city.[64].

At the end of 2017, the newspaper El Mercurio published a report indicating that the layout of the line was modified, so that in the Providencia sector it would not circulate under Andrés Bello Avenue (as originally thought), but would run parallel to Line 1 along Providencia Avenue, eliminating the combination in Salvador and moving it to Pedro de Valdivia "Pedro de Valdivia (station)"). In addition, Metro announced that it would extend Line 6 to Isidora Goyenechea&action=edit&redlink=1 "Isidora Goyenechea (station) (not yet drafted)") of the future Line 7.[65].

One year after the announcement of Line 7, President Sebastián Piñera announced in his 2018 annual account that studies would begin for the construction of two new metro lines in a north-south direction: Line 8, which will connect the communes of La Florida and Puente Alto with Providencia, while Line 9 would reach from the center to the commune of La Pintana, one of the last in the city to receive the Metro. In addition, he announced that Line 4 would be extended by three stations in the southern sector to reach Bajos de Mena.[66] It was projected at that time that lines 8 and 9 would be inaugurated in 2027.[67]

The impact of the social outbreak of 2019 delayed the planning work for the extension of the three lines,[68] which were resumed in September 2021, so it is estimated that lines 7, 8 and 9 would be inaugurated from 2030.[69] In August 2023, a modification to the route of Line 9 was announced, expanding it to the north to the Puente Cal y Canto station. "Puente Cal y Canto (station)") —which will become the first station with four concurrent lines— and to the south to Plaza de Puente Alto "Plaza de Puente Alto (station)"), combining with Line 4 and absorbing the proposed extension to Bajos de Mena.[70][71].

Future proposals

Various proposals have been presented to expand the Santiago Metro once lines 7, 8 and 9 are built.

Two communes of Greater Santiago would not have a direct connection to the Metro Network—Lo Espejo and Lo Barnechea—, while others only within their limits—San Bernardo "San Bernardo (Chile)"), Peñalolén and Huechuraba—. In the case of Lo Espejo, the municipality has proposed expanding Line 4A through Américo Vespucio towards the west, in order to connect the commune to the network,[72] while Lo Barnechea has expressed its interest in building two additional stations on Line 7 to reach Portal La Dehesa.[73] Meanwhile, the municipality of Maipú—one of the most populated communes in the city—launched a campaign to request the government for the extension. from Line 6 to its western sector.[74] Other proposals include reaching the International Airport, for example, through a branch of Line 7.[75][76].

During the inauguration of Line 3 in 2019, President Sebastián Piñera declared that a Line 10 was going to be built. Although Metro indicated that a tenth line was not officially in its project portfolio,[77] the government indicated that the initiative attempted to connect the Mapocho avenue sector with Tobalaba avenue, following the so-called "central ring" along Las Rejas, Switzerland and Departmental avenues.[78].

Other alternatives for new lines have been analyzed in the media in recent years and have been momentarily discarded: a line in the eastern sector through Tobalaba and Vespucio or Manquehue, another parallel to Line 1 through Avenida 5 de Abril (Central Station), Blanco Encalada, Santa Isabel and Bilbao, and the northern section of "Line 10" along Avenida Dorsal, Lo Espinoza and Radal.[79][80][81][82][83].

In his last public account, President Gabriel Boric announced on June 1, 2025 the creation of a Line A that will allow the connection of the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport underground to the Huelén station "Huelén (station)") of Line 7, in addition to the extensions of lines 6 and 4A to Maipú; the first adding 3 stations to the El Carmen Hospital "Hospital El Carmen (Santiago de Chile)"), and the second 7 to the Del Sol station "Del Sol (station)"), crossing the commune of Cerrillos "Cerrillos (commune)") and Lo Espejo, becoming the new Line 10 of the network.[84][85].

Structure

Lines

Line 1 is the inaugural line of the network and is its main axis, being the only one that runs through the city in a west-east direction. The complete route of the line, identified with the color red, takes approximately 29.7 minutes.[86].

Its first section of 8.2 km was inaugurated on September 15, 1975 between the stations San Pablo "San Pablo (station)") and La Moneda "La Moneda (station)"), being later extended eastwards by 3.2 km to the Salvador station "Salvador (station)"), on March 31, 1977. A new extension of 4.5 km was inaugurated on August 22, 1977. 1980, joining Salvador with the Military School. On January 7, 2010, a new extension was inaugurated, which runs from Escuela Militar "Escuela Militar (Santiago Metro station)") to Los Dominicos "Los Dominicos (station)"), adding three new stations and 4 km of route to the network.

Currently, the line has an extension of 20 kilometers and 27 stations that cross the communes of Lo Prado, Estación Central "Estación Central (Chile)"), Santiago "Santiago (commune)"), Providencia "Providencia (commune)") and Las Condes. Its route from the west begins at the San Pablo station "San Pablo (station)") towards the south along Av. Neptuno, later turning east when it meets Route 68. After this initial section carried out mainly in the form of a trench, it submerges near the beginning of Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins Avenue. The line completely runs through this avenue, the main avenue of the city, covering a large part of the historic center of the city. The tunnel subsequently passes under Providencia, Nueva Providencia and Apoquindo avenues, ending when it meets Plaza Los Domínicos, in the commune of Las Condes.

Line 1 is the most used Metro line, concentrating about 39% of the total trips throughout the network.[87] This is because, along with serving a large part of the population in the east and west of the capital, it runs through the main economic and commercial axis of the city, locating various urban landmarks along its route, such as the Palacio de La Moneda, Paseo Ahumada, the central houses of the three largest universities in the country, different intercity bus terminals and the city's train station, among others.

Line 2 of the Santiago Metro runs through the city longitudinally from north to south, passing through the communes of Huechuraba, Recoleta "Recoleta (Chile)"), Santiago "Santiago (commune)"), San Miguel "San Miguel (Chile)"), La Cisterna, El Bosque "El Bosque (Chile)") and San Bernardo "San Bernardo (Chile)"). Currently, it includes 26 stations along 25.9 kilometers, which can be traveled in approximately 44.2 minutes.[86].

Its first section of 4.9 km, between the stations Los Héroes "Los Héroes (station)") and Franklin "Franklin (station)"), was inaugurated on March 31, 1978, being complemented by the extension of 4.8 km to the south from Franklin "Franklin (station)") to Lo Ovalle "Lo Ovalle (station)"), inaugurated on December 21, 1978. On the 25th On July 1986, the extension to Santa Ana "Santa Ana (station)") was inaugurated and on September 15, 1987 the Puente Cal y Canto station "Puente Cal y Canto (station)" was opened. The line continued its extension to the north after the opening of successive sections between 2004 and 2006 until reaching the Vespucio Norte station "Vespucio Norte (station)"), and to the south with the inauguration in 2004 of the section from Lo Ovalle to La Cisterna "La Cisterna (station)"). Its latest extension connects two new communes from November 27, 2023: El Bosque "El Bosque (Chile)") and San Bernardo "San Bernardo (Chile)"), thus lengthening the line by 5.2 km south of the city ending at the new Hospital El Pino station "Hospital El Pino (station)").

Its route begins in the north at the Vespucio Norte station, a few meters before the confluence of Américo Vespucio and Recoleta avenues. Line 2, traditionally identified with the color yellow, advances underground through Recoleta to the vicinity of the Mapocho River. After crossing the main river of the city, turn towards the Puente Cal y Canto station, previously called Mapocho, and then take the Central Highway. The route continues along this road mainly in the form of a trench until the Rondizzoni station "Rondizzoni (station)"), to go back underground. After passing the Franklin station "Franklin (station)"), line 2 runs under Gran Avenida at stop 25 until reaching the Américo Vespucio ring road again, at La Cisterna station. The line continues its journey along Padre Hurtado Avenue to end at the Hospital El Pino station "Hospital El Pino (station)") in the commune of San Bernardo "San Bernardo (Chile)").

Unlike Line 1, Line 2 has a more residential character, connecting the residential neighborhoods of the north and center-south of the city with its center. 18% of the trips made on the Santiago Metro are made along this line.[87].

In October 2009, a system of express services was launched during peak hours as well as on lines 4 and 5. This system operates in the morning, between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m., and in the afternoon, between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., in the Vespucio Norte-Hospital El Pino direction and vice versa. It consists of two types of trains: those of the "red route" and the "green route", which stop interspersed between the stations with their corresponding color, with the exception of nine common stopping stations: Vespucio Norte, Zapadores, Puente Cal y Canto, Santa Ana, Los Héroes, Franklin, Lo Ovalle, La Cisterna and Hospital El Pino.

In November 2014, President Michelle Bachelet announced that Line 2 would be extended by 5 kilometers, which were inaugurated on November 27, 2023, adding four new stations to the line: El Bosque "El Bosque (station)"), Observatorio "Observatorio (Santiago Metro station)"), Copa Lo Martínez "Copa Lo Martínez (station)") and Hospital El Pino "Hospital El Pino (station)").[88].

Line 3 of the Santiago Metro, inaugurated on January 22, 2019, runs through the city from north to northeast, crossing the communes of Quilicura, Conchalí, Independencia "Independencia (Chile)"), Santiago "Santiago (commune)"), Ñuñoa "Ñuñoa (commune)") and La Reina. Currently, it includes 21 stations along more than 25 kilometers, which can be traveled in approximately 35 to 40 minutes.

Its route begins in the north at the Plaza Quilicura station "Plaza Quilicura (station)"), in the center of that commune, continuing towards the east under Manuel Antonio Matta Avenue. After crossing the railway line, the L3 route turns south when it reaches Los Libertadores station "Los Libertadores (station)"), at the intersection of Independencia avenues "Avenida Independencia (Santiago de Chile)") and Autopista Los Libertadores. The line continues along Independencia Avenue, where five stations are located before reaching the Mapocho River. Subsequently, the line continues its route passing through the Puente Cal y Canto station "Puente Cal y Canto (station)") to join Bandera and San Diego streets, where the Plaza de Armas "Plaza de Armas (Santiago Metro station)"), Universidad de Chile "Universidad de Chile (station)") and Parque Almagro "Parque Almagro (station)" stations are located. Then the journey continues along Matta Avenue, where the homonymous station "Matta (station)") is located, and then returns to Irarrázaval Avenue, where the stations Irarrázaval "Irarrázaval (station)"), Monseñor Eyzaguirre "Monseñor Eyzaguirre (station)"), Ñuñoa "Ñuñoa (Santiago Metro station)"), Chile España "Chile España" are located. (station)") and Villa Frei "Villa Frei (station)"). The last two stations are located on Ossa and Fernando Castillo Velasco avenues, which are Plaza Egaña "Plaza Egaña (station)") and Fernando Castillo Velasco "Fernando Castillo Velasco (station)") respectively. Line 3, identified with the color brown, advances underground throughout its entire journey.

Line 3 comes to decongest Line 1, in addition to being the second line with trains with autopilot, doors on the platforms and electrification through a catenary system. Although it was intended to be built in the 1980s, various factors delayed its construction for more than 30 years. When it was inaugurated in 2019, it had 18 stations, along 22 kilometers. The line reached its current dimension on September 25, 2023, after the inauguration of the first extension of the line, between Los Libertadores and Plaza Quilicura. Along with facilitating access to the inhabitants of the Quilicura commune, the extension will allow connection with the future Santiago-Batuco Train at the Railway station "Ferrocarril (station)").

Line 4 was the fourth line inaugurated in the Santiago Metro network. It was inaugurated on November 30, 2005; However, the section between Grecia "Grecia (station)") and Vicente Valdés "Vicente Valdés (station)") was traveled by the Transantiago transportation system until it was opened on March 2, 2006. The line serves the communes of the eastern and southeastern areas of the capital, crossing the communes of Providencia "Providencia (Chile)"), Las Condes, La Reina, Ñuñoa, Peñalolén, Macul, La Florida "La Florida (Chile)") and Puente Alto.

Its section begins at the Tobalaba station "Tobalaba (station)"), which serves as a combination with Line 1. The line runs underground along the homonymous avenue next to the San Carlos canal until the confluence with Américo Vespucio where it turns and continues its route towards the south. The line remains underground during the section of the ring road called Ossa Avenue, emerging after crossing the Rotonda Grecia. The route continues along the Vespucio Sur Highway to the Vicuña Mackenna station "Vicuña Mackenna (station)"), from where the branch of Line 4A emerges. After this stop, the line becomes underground momentarily as it turns towards Vicuña Mackenna Avenue, subsequently emerging in the form of an elevated viaduct after the Vicente Valdés station. In this way it advances until it reaches the vicinity of the Municipality of Puente Alto, where it becomes underground again at the Las Mercedes station to end in the same way at the Plaza de Puente Alto. An extension of three additional stations to the south, reaching the Bajos de Mena sector, was announced in June 2018 and should be in operation around 2025.[67].

This line, identified with the color blue, includes a total of 23 stations and 24.7 kilometers in length, which makes it the second longest in the network, becoming (once it was completely ready) the longest in the network, being later surpassed by line 5 after its extension to Maipú in 2011. The complete route is completed in approximately 40 minutes.[86] On November 5, 2009, the San José de la Estrella station "San José de la Estrella (station)") was opened to the public, increasing the number of stations on Line 4.[89] It concentrates around 18% of the network's total trips.[87].

In August 2007, a system of express services was launched during the morning in order to improve the service between Puente Alto and Tobalaba. This system is enabled between 6:00 and 9:00 in the Tobalaba-Puente Alto direction and vice versa and also consists of two types of trains: those on the "red route" and the "green route" stop alternately between the stations with their respective route with the exception of 9 common detention stations: Tobalaba "Tobalaba (station)"), Francisco Bilbao "Francisco Bilbao (station)"), Plaza Egaña "Plaza Egaña (station)"), Macul "Macul (station)"), Vicuña Mackenna "Vicuña Mackenna (station)"), Vicente Valdés "Vicente Valdés (station)"), Elisa Correa "Elisa Correa (station)"), Hospital Sótero del Río "Hospital Sótero del Río (station)") and Plaza de Puente Alto "Plaza de Puente Alto (station)").[90] Due to the good results of the system, the service was replicated in both directions (Tobalaba to Puente Alto and from Puente Alto to Tobalaba) between 06:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 21:00,[91] saving approximately 10 minutes of travel. In 2015 a new schedule was added between 12:00 and 15:00.

Line 4A is a branch of Line 4 that was inaugurated on August 16, 2006. It crosses the communes of La Florida "La Florida (Chile)"), La Granja "La Granja (Chile)"), San Ramón "San Ramón (Chile)") and La Cisterna. With only six stations along part of the Vespucio Sur Highway and an extension of 7.7 kilometers, it is the shortest line in the network; This makes it the least traveled, covering just over 3% of the total trips on the network.[87] The line originates at the Vicuña Mackenna station "Vicuña Mackenna (station)") and runs through Américo Vespucio Sur in the form of a trench on the central lane of the highway, where the stations are also located, connected to nearby towns by means of walkways over the expressway. Finally, it arrives at the La Cisterna station "La Cisterna (station)"), which serves as a connection with Line 2.

The journey along Line 4A, identified with the light blue color "Celeste (color)"), takes less than 12 minutes.

It was the third line inaugurated with its first section between the stations Baquedano "Baquedano (Santiago Metro station)") and Bellavista de La Florida "Bellavista de La Florida (station)") on April 5, 1997. It was later extended to the west, first to Santa Ana "Santa Ana (station)") on March 4, 2000, and to Quinta Normal "Quinta Normal (Santiago Metro station)"), the March 31, 2004. To the south, the Vicente Valdés station "Vicente Valdés (station)") would be opened on November 30, 2005. In 2006, a new extension to the southwestern sector was announced, whose first section between the Pudahuel station "Pudahuel (station)") and Quinta Normal was inaugurated on January 12, 2010; The section to the Plaza de Maipú station "Plaza de Maipú (station)") was inaugurated on February 3, 2011.

Line 5, identified with the color green, currently has an extension of 30 kilometers and a total of 30 stations, being the longest in the network, between the communes of Maipú "Maipú (Chile)"), Pudahuel, Lo Prado, Quinta Normal, Santiago "Santiago (commune)"), Providencia "Providencia (Chile)"), Ñuñoa, Macul, San Joaquín "San Joaquín (Chile)") and La Florida "La Florida (Chile)"). The route from the west begins at the Plaza de Maipú station underground, and then continues on the viaduct past the Del Sol station, going underground again at the Barrancas station, crossing the so-called "historic center" of the city. The line, after passing under the Plaza de Armas and the Museum of Fine Arts, turns around Plaza Baquedano towards the south. The Metro passes under Bustamante Park, surfacing around the San Eugenio workshops, and then rising in the form of a viaduct over Vicuña Mackenna Avenue. During the last sections of the route, the line begins to go underground before the Bellavista de La Florida station and then ends at Vicente Valdés, which serves as a combination with Line 4.

Like Line 2, Line 5 serves to connect the residential sectors of the western and southeastern areas of the capital with the center of Santiago. In its surroundings, however, some important commercial centers (mainly near the Plaza Vespucio Mall) and educational centers have emerged. It is the second most used line on the network, concentrating around 22% of total trips.[87].

In November 2008, a system of express services was launched during peak hours, as on Line 4. This system operates in the morning between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m., and in the afternoon between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Plaza de Maipú-Vicente Valdés direction and vice versa. It consists of two types of trains: those of the "red route" and the "green route", which stop interspersed between the stations, with the exception of 13 common detention stations: Plaza de Maipú "Plaza de Maipú (station)"), Laguna Sur "Laguna Sur (station)"), Pudahuel "Pudahuel (station)"), San Pablo "San Pablo (station)"), Santa Ana "Santa Ana (station)"), Plaza de Armas "Plaza de Armas (Santiago Metro station)"), Bellas Artes "Bellas Artes (Santiago Metro station)"), Baquedano "Baquedano (Santiago Metro station)"), Irarrázaval "Irarrázaval (station)"), Ñuble "Ñuble (station)"), Bellavista de La Florida "Bellavista de La Florida (station)"), San Joaquín "San Joaquín (Santiago Metro station)") and Vicente Valdés "Vicente Valdés (station)").

Line 6 of the Santiago Metro, inaugurated on November 2, 2017,[92] runs through the city from south-west to northeast, crossing the communes of Cerrillos "Cerrillos (commune)"), Pedro Aguirre Cerda "Pedro Aguirre Cerda (commune)"), San Miguel "San Miguel (Chile)"), San Joaquín "San Joaquín (Chile)"), Santiago "Santiago (commune)"), Ñuñoa "Ñuñoa (Chile)") and Providencia "Providencia (Chile)"). Currently, it includes 10 stations along 15.3 kilometers, which take approximately 19 to 20 minutes to travel.

Its route begins to the south at the Cerrillos station "Cerrillos (station)"), at the intersection of Departamental, Pedro Aguirre Cerda and Buzeta avenues and then continues along Carlos Valdovinos avenue, where the Lo Valledor and Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda stations are located, later the line continues its route passing through the Franklin neighborhood, with the station of the same name and the Bío Bío station, then it would turn at Carlos Dittborn and Grecia Avenue, where the Ñuble and Estadio Nacional stations are located respectively, and then turn onto Pedro de Valdivia Avenue where the Ñuñoa and Inés de Suárez arrests are located, ending the journey at Los Leones station at the intersection of Providencia and Sweden avenues in the northeastern sector of Santiago. Line 6, identified with the color purple, advances underground throughout its entire journey.

Unlike the other lines, Line 6 has a decongesting nature of Line 1, in addition to being the first line with trains with autopilot, doors on the platforms and electrification through a catenary system. A new station, Isidora Goyenechea&action=edit&redlink=1 "Isidora Goyenechea (station) (not yet drafted)"), will be built in the future to allow combination with the future Line 7. In 2027 the Lo Errazuriz station "Lo Errázuriz (station)") will be inaugurated, which will connect with the Melipilla-Estación Central Train station.[93].

Seasons

List of Santiago Metro stations. In bold, combination stations with other lines.

Interconnection

Since its construction, the Santiago Metro has been strongly connected with other means of transportation, especially in its beginnings when the urban railway ran only through some central sectors of the city while most of the passengers came from the peripheries.

In 1987, Metro began the Metrobus system "Metrobus (Santiago de Chile)"), which consisted of approach buses to stations of the railway network, mainly the terminals of the lines existing at that date. For this, the stations Lo Ovalle "Lo Ovalle (station)"), Puente Cal y Canto "Puente Cal y Canto (station)") and Escuela Militar "Escuela Militar (Santiago Metro station)") were established as places to combine this service with the Santiago Metro. Later, Las Rejas "Las Rejas (station)") and Bellavista de La Florida "Bellavista de La Florida (station)") were added, the latter being particularly designed to accommodate various means of transportation that converge to the Metro.

At the beginning of the 2000s, planning began on an urban transportation master plan for Santiago that would have the Metro as the structuring axis of the capital's transportation. To this end, a strong expansion of the network began, highlighting the construction of Quinta Normal "Quinta Normal (Santiago Metro station)") and La Cisterna "La Cisterna (station)") as modal exchange stations. Although Quinta Normal, which would even house a train station, was not built in its entirety due to problems during the bidding process, in mid-2007 the La Cisterna Intermodal Station was inaugurated.[94].

With the implementation of Transantiago, on February 10, 2007, the relationship between minibuses and the Metro was completed. Metro acquired an important coordinating role within the capital's transportation by incorporating the bip! card. as a means of payment. To improve the interconnectivity system, Transantiago incorporated a series of "transfer stations", many of which are located next to Santiago Metro stations. In this process, some of the old Metrobus service terminals were adapted so that they could be used by Transantiago feeder services. Likewise, along with the expansion of the metro network, new stations of this type were built. This is how the Vespucio Norte stations "Vespucio Norte (station)") were established in February 2008[95] and the Del Sol station "Del Sol (station)") in the extension to Maipú of Line 5.[96].

Currently, Metro is part of the Metropolitan Mobility Network that since 2021 has articulated the main means of public transport in the city, replacing Transantiago, but maintaining the single fare system through the bip! card. It has direct connections with minibus services at its intermodal stations Pajaritos "Pajaritos (station)") (L1), Vespucio Norte "Vespucio Norte (station)"), Franklin "Franklin (station)"), Lo Ovalle "Lo Ovalle (station)") and La Cisterna "La Cisterna (station)") (L2), Los Libertadores "Los Libertadores (station)") (L3), Del Sol "Del Sol (station)") and Bellavista de La Florida "Bellavista de La Florida (station)") (L5). For intercity buses, the Pajaritos station has multiple services to Valparaíso, Viña del Mar and nearby cities, while Bellavista de La Florida has buses to sectors of the Cajón del Maipo and some special services outside the Metropolitan Region. In addition, the stations San Alberto Hurtado "San Alberto Hurtado (station)"), Universidad de Santiago "Universidad de Santiago (station)"), Estación Central "Estación Central (Santiago metro)") and Los Héroes "Los Héroes (station)") are located in the vicinity of the main intercity bus terminals of the city.

Equipment and services

Within the stations, there are various services provided by the Santiago Metro in order to satisfy the needs of customers who use this means of transportation. Currently, all stations have ticket offices, public telephones and Redbanc ATMs.[97] In addition, on the platforms there are information panels, maps of the Network and the station's surroundings and a series of televisions (in the main stations, plasma type) that transmit music videos, Metro information and news compacts through MetroTV.

Furthermore, since the inauguration of Line 5, all new stations have enabled elevators for disabled access. This service is also found in an extraordinary way at the Ecuador station "Ecuador (station)") of Line 1, which is located in front of the Teletón Institute of Santiago and there is another in Bucle station Pajaritos "Pajaritos (station)"), according to the virtual model. In August 2019, elevators were inaugurated at the San Joaquín station, making Central Station the only one that currently lacks elevators.[98].

On the other hand, there are Bibliometro modules in various stations, which since 1996 allow the loan of books to customers of the service. The modules are located at the stations Baquedano "Baquedano (Santiago Metro station)"), Puente Cal y Canto "Puente Cal y Canto (station)"), Los Héroes "Los Héroes (station)"), San Pablo "San Pablo (station)"), Bellavista de La Florida "Bellavista de La Florida (station)"), Ciudad del Niño "Ciudad del Niño (station)"), Vespucio Norte "Vespucio Norte (station)"), Plaza de Armas "Plaza de Armas (Santiago Metro)"), Plaza de Maipú "Plaza de Maipú (station)"), Los Domínicos "Los Domínicos (station)"), Irarrázaval "Irarrázaval (station)"), Macul "Macul (station)"), Franklin "Franklin (station)"), Cerrillos "Cerrillos (station)"), Ñuñoa "Ñuñoa (Santiago Metro station)") and Inés de Suárez "Inés de Suárez (station)"). The service currently has more than 35,000 active members and 154,000 titles were provided to them during 2005.[99].

In August 2008, the Bicimetro service was implemented, which allows you to leave your bicycle parked all day by paying only CL$ 300. This service is available at the Vespucio Norte, Escuela Militar, Grecia, Plaza Egaña, La Cisterna, Las Mercedes and Cristóbal Colón stations.

On September 8, 2018, the second bicycle parking system in metro stations was inaugurated, called "Line Zero", which includes the installation of bicycle racks at the entrances to the stations and which can be accessed by paying for the service through a mobile application. The system debuted at the Cerrillos, Franklin, Bío-Bío, Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda and Inés de Suárez stations on Line 6; Subsequently, three bike racks were inaugurated in two stations on Line 3 (Cardenal Caro and Fernando Castillo Velasco) and one on Line 2 (El Parrón), with plans to be present in 60 stations by 2020.[100].

Corporate image

The Metro logo, created in the late 1960s and consisting of three red rhombuses, means—according to designer Peter Himmel and architect Jaime Escudero, who participated in the first works of the subway train—the "indissoluble interconnection between the three elements: the surface (road), circulation on the surface (buses) and underground circulation (metro)."[101][102].

Taking advantage of the inauguration of Line 5 in 1997, Metro de Santiago began a process of renewal of its corporate image and station signage, which was led by designers Sergio Mancilla, Mónica Ventura and Alejandro Orellana, and which also included the development of its own typographic font, called "Métrika" and which is used in its logo, to which an oval was added that surrounds the 3 rhombuses and symbolizes the closing of a cycle and the insertion of Metro in the community.[103] In December 1997, the process of changing the signage in the stations of the La Moneda-Salvador section on Line 1 began, continuing in the following months towards the rest of the network.[104].

In January 2022, the Santiago Metro began a plan to replace signage that had been damaged, within the framework of the reconstruction of stations that had been vandalized during the social outbreak of 2019. The new signage has LED technology and lighting, thus facilitating its maintenance and contributing to the environment. The installation of a total of 68 new signs in 46 stations of the network was announced.[105][106].

Rolling stock

The rolling stock of the Santiago Metro is powered by electrical energy with a voltage of 750 volts (V) direct current (DC), through a third rail on lines 1, 2, 4, 4A and 5 or 1500 VDC through rigid catenary on lines 3 and 6. The gauge used is 1435 mm. Lines 1, 2 and 5 are designed for the use of trains with pneumatic treads, while lines 3, 4, 4A and 6 are designed for trains with railway treads.

The first trains, NS-74, began to arrive in 1975, completing all convoys in 1981. In total there were 49 trains of 5 cars each, but after a reform process only 35 trains remained in operation. Later, in 1988, a formation of 5 cars, NS-88, was acquired due to the destruction of an NS-74 train. This was due to an attack on Tobalaba station "Tobalaba (station)") in 1986.

In 1996, the first formations of the NS-93 train entered, manufactured in France by GEC Alsthom. These trains made their debut on Line 5 around 1997, and were later transferred to Lines 1 and 2. They currently circulate on Line 1 in an 8-car configuration,[107] and on Line 5 with formations of 6 and 7 cars.

With the construction of Line 4, the acquisition of the AS-2002 trains began.[108] Specifically, 72 modular units were acquired, consisting of 3 cars each. This new rolling stock was ordered from the Brazilian Alstom plant.

Later, after the start of Transantiago in 2007, the NS-2004 trains entered, as a measure to mitigate the increase in demand for the service on Line 1. They currently circulate on Line 2. Metro awarded the tender for the renewal of trains for Line 1 to the Spanish company CAF for a cost of 250 million dollars. The 20 trains of the NS-2007 model arrived in November 2009.[109] In 2012, Metro began the acquisition of 14 trains, model NS-2012, which, like the NS-2007, were also manufactured by CAF.[110] These new cars are the first to incorporate factory air conditioning to the fleet.[111].

With the inauguration of Line 6, the AS-2014 model trains came into operation, which stand out for their fully automated driving. These trains are the first within the Metro fleet to not have driving cabins. On September 13, 2018, the first NS-2016 train began to circulate on Line 2; These trains are the first fully assembled in Chile.[112].

The maintenance of the trains is carried out in workshops specially arranged for this work. These workshops also function as garages and are located near the following stations: Neptuno "Neptuno (station)"), Lo Ovalle "Lo Ovalle (station)"), Los Libertadores "Los Libertadores (station)"), Las Mercedes "Las Mercedes (station)"), Quilín "Quilín (station)"), Ñuble "Ñuble (station)") and Cerrillos "Cerrillos (station)"). It is expected that by 2022 a new workshop will be inaugurated near the Vespucio Norte station "Vespucio Norte (station)").[113].

At the end of 2019, as a result of the protests that occurred in Chile, several trains were attacked. Due to this, 7 formations were completely burned, 1 NS-2007 and 6 AS-2002. Likewise, other units suffered damages of different kinds.[114][115].

The distribution of trains is as follows:

Rates and payment methods

Currently, there is only one means of payment for the use of the Santiago Metro service: the Bip! smart card. Previously, it could also be accessed with tickets, which allowed only one trip to be made, being introduced into the "Winlass (access barrier)" turnstiles that separate public access to the station from the platform sector "Platform (transport)"). These tickets could be purchased at the ticket offices available at all stations; However, in 2017 Metro began the process of completely replacing this system, which was carried out between August 2017 and March 2018. The Bip! card, which replaced the previous Multivía, meanwhile, is a rechargeable card at all ticket offices and other commercial premises throughout the city, and that allows access to the platforms by bringing the device close to the turnstiles, without the need for direct contact. This card costs CL$1,550 (approx. US$2.59) and its minimum load is CL$1,000 (approx. US$1.6). The use of the card allows the use of an integrated rate system when using the Metropolitan Mobility Network.

The Santiago Metro currently has a fare system determined according to the time of use of the service, use of bus services in combination and benefits for seniors and students.

In the case of the Student rate, for Basic Education students, access is free upon presentation of their National Student Card (TNE) issued by the MINEDUC; for Middle and Higher Education has a cost of CL$230 and its minimum charge is CL$500, through the use of the national student card as a smart card for the integrated rate. Of the total number of Metro passengers in 2006, 23.8% were students.[117].

In the case of those over 65 years of age, they must request a certificate at the Metro Customer Service offices—located at certain stations—to be able to purchase a “senior adult ticket.” Its use is allowed during all hours, with the restriction of a maximum of two trips per day. However, this service is not integrated into the Metropolitan Mobility Network system, so the benefit only applies to using the Metro only. During 2006, 1.5% of passengers used this type of benefit.[117] On June 14, 2017, the end of the Metro ticket system was announced, so older adults will have a personalized card with technology similar to that of the bip! card. since August of that year. Its cost is the same as that of the students.[118].

Since January 2014, once Metro S.A. took charge of the administration of the Transantiago charging system, it has enabled cards for tourists with a cost of CL$8,000 and CL$13,000. The cost of the card includes, in addition to the plastic, a map with central routes of the capital's transportation and the most notable places, a tourist circuit associated with Transantiago and a map of the underground train.

In July 2020, a new payment card for seniors was announced. This card, called Bip! Older adults, live with the one delivered by Metro de Santiago, except that it can also be used on buses and has a cost of CL$350. However, the user must choose which of the two benefits they will use.[119].

Culture and art

Along with its development as a means of transportation, the Santiago Metro has had an interest in the promotion of culture and art since its inception. This includes the Bibliometro initiatives, the promotion of various cultural events through the MetroCultura panels placed in most of the Network's stations and other activities carried out by the MetroArte Foundation. For this, the Metro has various locations such as the Pablo Neruda Room at the Quinta Normal station "Quinta Normal (Santiago Metro station)"), the Cultural Multisala in Baquedano "Baquedano (Santiago Metro station)") and the open art gallery in Puente Cal y Canto "Puente Cal y Canto (station)").

Some stations have incorporated various works of art into their structure. The most important is the largest mural in Latin America,[120] located along the entire platform area of the Universidad de Chile station "Universidad de Chile (station)"): Visual memory of a nation by Mario Toral. Composed of two parts, Visual memory of a nation includes various images that narrate the history of Chile. Other works are located in Santa Lucía "Santa Lucía (Santiago Metro station)"), where the work Tiles for Santiago by Rogério Ribeiro was installed in 1996; and La Moneda "La Moneda (station)"), whose platforms were completely redesigned in 2005 to house a series of realistic paintings with various landscapes of the country, made by the national painter Guillermo Muñoz Vera. At the Quinta Normal station, the work Verbo América by Roberto Matta was installed in 2008, composed of 55 polychrome ceramic palettes with an extension of 4.8×10.6 m.[121].

In addition, at various stations there are a series of dioramas that show episodes from the history of Chile; These works are produced by Luis Gutiérrez, known under the pseudonym Zerreitug.[122].

Metro de Santiago has also shown interest in encouraging Chilean literary culture, which is why in 2001 it joined the project Santiago in 100 words, in conjunction with Plagio&action=edit&redlink=1 "Plagio (Group) (not yet written)") and Minera Escondida, which consists of the creation of micro-stories that address the theme of contemporary urban life.

Incidents and accidents

Contenido

El Metro de Santiago no ha estado exento de accidentes, aun cuando la cantidad de estos ha sido baja:.

2000s

• - On June 21, 2002, a derailment occurred in Las Rejas "Las Rejas (station)"), blocking the tracks, with no injuries reported.[128].

• - On February 10, 2008, a derailment occurred on the interchange track between Los Héroes "Los Héroes (station)") and Santa Ana "Santa Ana (station)"), which interrupted the service of Line 2.[129].

• - On August 4, 2008, a train collided with another that was boarding passengers at the Prince of Wales station "Prince of Wales (station)") on Line 4, leaving four people injured.[130].

• - On September 3, 2009, a train leaving the Neptuno workshops "Neptuno (station)") derailed, interrupting the normal operation of Line 1.[131].

2010s

• - On February 8, 2012, a train crossed the walls of the Lo Ovalle workshops "Lo Ovalle (station)"), impacting a condominium and destroying several vehicles.[129].

• - On October 28, 2019, a train on Line 2, between the Cerro Blanco stations "Cerro Blanco (station)") and Cementerios, "Cementerios (station)") suffered an electrical failure causing electric arc explosions in the middle of the tunnel, smoke emanation, loss of lighting in the carriages and general concern among passengers. The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m., prompting a mass evacuation. Line 2 was only available between La Cisterna "La Cisterna (station)") and Cerro Blanco; The service was normalized at 3:22 p.m.[132].

• - On December 11, 2019, a train that was serving passengers derailed near the Ñuble station "Ñuble (station)"), causing the operation of Line 5 to be affected between the Parque Bustamante "Parque Bustamante (station)") and Vicente Valdés "Vicente Valdés (station)" stations.[133].

2020s

• - On May 17, 2022, a Line 1 train that was at the Las Rejas station "Las Rejas (station)") suffered an electric arc explosion from its battery bank and smoke emanation due to a technical failure. The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m.—peak service time—causing a mass evacuation and two people injured from falls. The stations between San Pablo "San Pablo (station)") and Universidad de Santiago "Universidad de Santiago (station)") were out of service until 3:45 p.m., generating road congestion on the surface.[134][135].

• - On August 16, 2022, a Line 2 train suffered a derailment in the early morning - outside of service hours - during the parking process at the Einstein station "Einstein (station)"), blocking and causing damage to both tracks, suspending the train service between Vespucio Norte "Vespucio Norte (station)") and Cementerios "Cementerios (station)") during the entire day of Tuesday the 16th and until 17:30 —before the evening rush hour— on Wednesday the 17th, causing road chaos on the surface.[136][137].

• - On August 27, 2022, an energization problem on Line 2 forced its total closure from 6:30 p.m. The above caused the massive evacuation of passengers, generating traffic jams. According to users, there was loss of lighting and general unrest, intensified by "delays and lack of coordination in evacuations"; On the surface, the bus service was reinforced.[138] Service on this line resumed the following day.[139].

• - On February 7, 2024, around 8:00 p.m., a Line 1 train derailed between the stations Neptuno "Neptuno (station)") and San Pablo "San Pablo (station)"). The above caused the partial suspension of the line service, which was only available between Los Dominicos "Los Dominicos (station)") and Pajaritos "Pajaritos (station)").[140]

• - On January 9, 2025, a Line 2 train derailed before the start of service, at the Lo Ovalle station "Lo Ovalle (station)"), thus suspending train service at seven stations: between El Llano "El Llano (station)") and El Parrón "El Parrón (station)") for much of the day, and generating road chaos on the surface. The line service was restored before 7:00 p.m.—during rush hour. On the surface, the affected section was reinforced with bus service.[141].

• - On September 4, 2025, a train suffered a failure, causing a fire at the San Joaquín station...[142].

• - MetroTV.

• - MetroArte.

• - Bibliometer.

• - Official website.

• - Santiago Metro in X (formerly Twitter).

• - Santiago Metro on Facebook.

• - Santiago Metro on Instagram.

• - Inauguration of the Santiago Metro with Augusto Pinochet in 1975.

• - TVN 24 Hours - Chronicle: 40 years of the Santiago Metro.

Project changes

Expansion

Transantiago

Extensions to Maipú and Las Condes

In March 2012, the Santiago Metro was chosen as the best metro system in America, a distinction received at the annual Metro Rail dinner held in London, United Kingdom.[27].

Lines 3 and 6

Lines 7, 8 and 9

Future proposals

Various proposals have been presented to expand the Santiago Metro once lines 7, 8 and 9 are built.

Structure

Lines

The journey along Line 4A, identified with the light blue color "Celeste (color)"), takes less than 12 minutes.

Seasons

List of Santiago Metro stations. In bold, combination stations with other lines.

Interconnection

Equipment and services

Corporate image

Rolling stock

The distribution of trains is as follows:

Rates and payment methods

The Santiago Metro currently has a fare system determined according to the time of use of the service, use of bus services in combination and benefits for seniors and students.

Culture and art

In addition, at various stations there are a series of dioramas that show episodes from the history of Chile; These works are produced by Luis Gutiérrez, known under the pseudonym Zerreitug.[122].

Incidents and accidents

Contenido

El Metro de Santiago no ha estado exento de accidentes, aun cuando la cantidad de estos ha sido baja:.

2000s

• - On June 21, 2002, a derailment occurred in Las Rejas "Las Rejas (station)"), blocking the tracks, with no injuries reported.[128].

• - On August 4, 2008, a train collided with another that was boarding passengers at the Prince of Wales station "Prince of Wales (station)") on Line 4, leaving four people injured.[130].

• - On September 3, 2009, a train leaving the Neptuno workshops "Neptuno (station)") derailed, interrupting the normal operation of Line 1.[131].

2010s

• - On February 8, 2012, a train crossed the walls of the Lo Ovalle workshops "Lo Ovalle (station)"), impacting a condominium and destroying several vehicles.[129].

2020s

• - On September 4, 2025, a train suffered a failure, causing a fire at the San Joaquín station...[142].

• - MetroTV.

• - MetroArte.

• - Bibliometer.

• - Official website.

• - Santiago Metro in X (formerly Twitter).

• - Santiago Metro on Facebook.

• - Santiago Metro on Instagram.

• - Inauguration of the Santiago Metro with Augusto Pinochet in 1975.

• - TVN 24 Hours - Chronicle: 40 years of the Santiago Metro.

Navegación

Santiago de Chile Metro

Introduction

History

Beginnings

Santiago de Chile Metro

Introduction

History

Beginnings

Project changes

Expansion

Transantiago

Extensions to Maipú and Las Condes

Lines 3 and 6

social outbreak

Lines 7, 8 and 9

Future proposals

Structure

Lines

Seasons

Interconnection

Equipment and services

Corporate image

Rolling stock

Rates and payment methods

Culture and art

Trade

Incidents and accidents

Contenido

2000s

2010s

2020s

References

Project changes

Expansion

Transantiago

Extensions to Maipú and Las Condes

Lines 3 and 6

social outbreak

Lines 7, 8 and 9

Future proposals

Structure

Lines

Seasons

Interconnection

Equipment and services

Corporate image

Rolling stock

Rates and payment methods

Culture and art

Trade

Incidents and accidents

Contenido

2000s

2010s

2020s

References