The Urban Transport Magazine (UTM) had already reported twice on the construction of the new light rail in Cochabamba (Bolivia) ([1] und [2]). This transport network was inaugurated in a ceremony in September 2022 [3]. An UTM-article about this event pointed out that only the red and green lines were opened, and the green line only incomplete [4].
We are giving a chronological overview of the period from September 2022 to autumn 2023. The map below is showing the locations and alignment of the three lines.
- Inauguration ceremony with the President of Bolivia Luis Arce on September 13, 2022.
- From October 2022, passenger traffic from Vieja Estación San Antonio to Vinto every half hour (green line)
- October 2022 – Opening of the complete red line
- 31 August 2023: Final completion and official opening ceremony of the green line to Suticollo, start of passenger service 22 November 2023
Decisions were taken to extend the red line as early as spring 2023. In the center of Cochabamba, both the historic train station and the Cancha commercial area will be included with an extension to the Estacion Antigua San Antonio station. This section has already been inaugurated (September 2023). At the other end of the red line, work is already underway to extend it to Uspha-Uspha. This route has a length of 2.8 km. Construction costs of 68 million Bolivianos (almost 10 million dollars) were budgeted for both sections.
According to the latest reports, the yellow line should be extended to Sacaba. However, there were geological problems and resistance from the population because of the alignment along the Rocha River. Therefore, it was decided in autumn 2023 that the yellow line should leave the river at the Sajama Street/Rocha River intersection and lead via Jorge Wilstermann Airport and the Maica sector to the new bus terminal of the city of Cochabamba in Albarrancho.
However, this does not mean that the plans to include Sacaba in the network are finally abandoned. There should be a further expansion of the light rail system. UTM will report.
On Wikipedia, the chapter under keyword “Mi tren” [5] gives a detailed overview of problems in the first year of operation, some of which are very similar to other railway projects worldwide such as objections from environmental organizations, cable theft, graffiti, traffic accidents. An article in the local press reports on the enormous improvements made for wheelchair users by the new vehicles, which previously did not exist in public transport in Cochabamba [6].
Literature
[1] Christeller, R.: Construction of light rail project in Cochabamba, Bolivia, makes progress, UTM 2019
[2] Iwainsky, H.: New light rail system in Cochabamba, Bolivia, UTM, 2021; https://www.urban-transportmagazine.com/neue-stadtbahn-in-cochabamba-in-bolivien/
[3] Iwainsky, H.: Boliviens Bahnen und die neue Stadtbahn Cochabamba; Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau (ETR) 71(2022)10, S.63 ff.
[4] Buch, E.: Cochabamba celebrates its new Tren Metropolitano!, UTM; https://www.urban-transportmagazine.
com/cochabamba-feiert-den-tren-metropolitano/
[5] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi_Tren
[6] https://www.opinion.com.bo, 1.3.2023
