Chile railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Chile.
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NewsCRRC electro-diesel multiple-units enter service in Chile
CHILE: The six four-car electro-diesel multiple-units that CRRC Sifang supplied for regional operator EFE Central have entered revenue services on the Santiago Estación Central – Curicó route. A ceremony on January 19 has been attended by Minister Secretary General of the Government, Camila Vallejo, Minister of ...
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Metro Report InternationalSantiago metro extension enhances local amenities
CHILE: President Gabriel Boric has inaugurated a 5·2 km extension of Santiago metro Line 2. The four-station section at the south end of the route takes Line 2 from La Cisterna to Hospital El Pino, and it has been built at a cost of US$409·2m. Opened ...
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Metro Report InternationalSantiago metro Line 3 reaches Plaza Quilicura
CHILE: A 3·8 km northwestern extension of Santiago metro Line 3 has opened from Los Libertadores to Plaza Quilicura. The ceremony on September 25 was attended by President Gabriel Boric, Minister of Transportation & Telecommunications Juan Carlos Muñoz, and other dignities. The extension serves two intermediate ...
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NewsEFE extends Chillán – San Carlos service to Parral
CHILE: National railway EFE has extended its Chillán – San Carlos regional passenger service north to Parral, using part of the electrified main line that connects Chillán with Santiago. EFE launched the Chillán – San Carlos trains at the end of last year, and the four ...
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Metro Report InternationalSantiago’s planned metro Line 9 gets longer
Like Line 3, Line 9 is to be fully automated and will be fully accessible from street to train CHILE: President Gabriel Boric presented updated plans for the proposed metro Line 9 in Santiago on August 9. Line 9 will be the city’s ...
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NewsEFE orders 32 EMUs for Santiago suburban routes
CHILE: National railway EFE has awarded a consortium of CRRC Sifang and local partner Temoinsa a US$171·4m contract to supply 32 three-car electric multiple-units for Santiago suburban services. Announcing the contract on August 11, EFE said it was the largest single rolling stock order in the ...
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In depthInterview: Investing to create an inclusive metro
One of few metros around the world which does not receive a subsidy for day-to-day operations, Metro de Santiago can still allocate around 30% of its farebox revenues for future investment. General Manager Felipe Bravo tells Benjámin Zelki about its expansion plans, signalling upgrades, rolling stock renewal and achieving social inclusion goals.
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In depthChile: EFE invests to triple ridership by 2030
The Chilean government is investing US$8bn in the country’s railways with the aim of increasing passenger numbers threefold and boosting regional development outside the Santiago conurbation. Chief Executive of national operator EFE José Solorza Estévez explains the strategy to Benjámin Zelki.
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NewsSantiago suburban EMU order increased
CHILE: National railway group EFE announced on July 21 that it had exercised an option to order three three-car electric multiple-units from CRRC to increase capacity on the Santiago – Rancagua suburban service. EFE ordered six three-car EMUs from CRRC for the route in September 2019 ...
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NewsEFE to launch more regional passenger services
CHILE: President Gabriel Boric announced on June 1 that regional train services are to be introduced in three regions under the Trenes de Cercanía 30/30 programme.
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NewsConsortium selected to renovate Santiago suburban lines
CHILE: National railway EFE has selected a 50:50 consortium of Systra and domestic engineering company Zañartu to modernise the Santiago – Melipilla and Santiago – Batuco lines to enable the launch of dedicated suburban services.
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NewsValparaíso – Santiago passenger revival planned
CHILE: Plans to reintroduce passenger services between Santiago and Valparaíso have been announced by President Gabriel Boric. The revival of the services which last ran in 1986 forms part of the government’s Trains for Chile investment programme. The president said the end-to-end journey time ...
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NewsUnderground suburban station in Santiago approved
CHILE: The government has granted environmental approval for the construction of a 3·2 km double-track tunnel and underground station to serve Santiago’s Central-Alameda complex as part of the Alameda – Melipilla suburban rail scheme.
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NewsFirst bi-mode inter-city trainset for Chile on test
CHILE: The first of six four-car electro-diesel multiple-units that CRRC Sifang is building for regional operator EFE Central is on test in China.
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NewsMarcopolo Rail to supply DMUs to rebuilt Chilean narrow-gauge line
CHILE: National operator EFE Trenes de Chile has signed a contract for Marcopolo Rail to supply three two-car Prosper VLT diesel multiple-units for the recently modernised metre-gauge Talca – Constitución line. Brazilian bus manufacturer Marcopolo announced at the NT Expo trade fair in São Paulo in ...
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NewsFCAB orders hydrogen locomotive
CHILE: The Ferrocarril de Antofagasta transport subsidiary of mining company Antofagasta has ordered a hydrogen fuelled locomotive from CRRC Qishuyan and AHTECH. The metre-gauge locomotive is expected to enter service in the second half of 2024. It will be powered using green hydrogen. FCAB said it ...
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Metro Report InternationalSantiago Line 7 contract signed
CHILE: Metro de Santiago has finalised a €355m contract for Alstom to supply and maintain the rolling stock and signalling for the 25·8 km automated metro Line 7 which is now expected to open in late 2027. Alstom had been named as preferred bidder for the ...
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Metro Report InternationalMobile payment comes to Santiago
CHILE: Passengers using the Santiago metro and EFE suburban trains are now able to pay for their travel using mobile devices, following an upgrade to the fare collection system. Spanish IT specialist Indra has renewed 1 120 ticket gates at stations on the seven metro lines ...
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Metro Report InternationalWood to design six stations for Santiago metro Line 7
CHILE: Engineering consultancy Wood is to develop detailed designs for six stations on section C of the future Line 7 in the east of Santiago. Under the 24 month contract, Wood will work on architectural, structural, civil, mechanical and electrical designs, and will provide site support ...
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Metro Report InternationalAlstom to supply driverless trains for Santiago Line 7
CHILE: Metro de Santiago has selected Alstom to supply and maintain for 20 years the driverless trains and train control systems for the 25·8 km metro Line 7 now under construction.