Santiago Metro

The metro network in the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile (Spanish: Metro de Santiago de Chile ) is the largest underground network of South America and the third oldest in Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo and opens up large parts of the capital region. It currently has 93 subway stations at about 94 km route network. The five lines 174 trains are used

The Metro serves not only as a transport system, but is also considered a cultural landmark. The metro station Universidad de Chile has a large-scale mural by Mario Toral, illustrating the history of the country. Other works of art are in the subway stations Baquedano, Bellas Artes, Santa Lucía ( Portuguese azulejos, a gift of the Lisbon Metro ), República and many other stations. Recently, the lights were dimmed in the station La Moneda and is lit only by the new illuminated mural.

Tickets

The Metro de Santiago runs Mondays to Saturdays from 6:00 bis 23:00 clock and on Sunday from 8:00 bis 23:00 clock.

A ride costs in the rush hour ( hora alta ) with the single card ( Boleto Unitario ) 670 CLP and in the remaining time ( hora baja, tariff Rebajado ) and on Sunday 590 CLP. Since 10 February 2007, there is a new multi- ticketing system, which is reflected in the buses and in the subway ( Transantiago ). Payment is now with the tarjeta GDP. This is held to the transponder the access barrier and automatically deducted the fare. Single tickets are equal confiscated. The current tariff is indicated by an illuminated sign.

Similar day tickets there is not, however, it is in the range of Transantiago possible to change the transport within 120 minutes up to two times. Only for students Chilean institutions, a reduced rate of 190 CLP seniors can use with some restrictions.

Development of the rail network

The Metro de Santiago in 1968 was conceived during the reign of Eduardo Frei Montalva and opened by dictator Augusto Pinochet on 15 September 1975. It was built by a French- Chilean consortium BCEOM SOFRETU CADE, which had previously won an international tender.

The line 1, opened in 1975 as the first metro line, leading from San Pablo under the representative main street of Santiago, Avenida del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins to La Moneda. In 1977 this line, to Salvador, extended 1980 to Escuela Militar and 2010 to Los Dominicos was.

Line 2 was opened as the second metro line on the stretch between Los Héroes and Franklin in March 1978. In December of the same year the line was extended to station Lo Ovalle in 1987 to Puente Cal y Canto and in September 2004 to Cerro Blanco. On 22 December 2004, the southern extension was opened up to the station La Cisterna. With this track, the first expansion phase of the Metro during the reign of Ricardo Lagos Escobar was completed. Since December 2006, the line goes 2 in the north to Vespucio Norte.

The line 5 could be taken as a third metro line put into operation in April 1997. Her first track section leading from the station Baquedano to Bellavista de La Florida. In March 2000, she has been to Santa Ana, extended in March 2004 to Quinta Normal 2010 to Pudahuel and 2011 to Plaza de Maipú.

Line 4 was opened in 2005 and does not move as the previous lines on rubber, but on steel wheels. The same applies to the line 4A, which adjoins line 4 on the southern ring road. It does not in the old center, but results from the business center at Tobalaba tangentially in the southern suburb of Puente Alto.

Transantiago

In February 2007, a combined public transport system was taken consisting of metro and buses called Transantiago in operation. The main objective was to improve the traffic and environmental situation in which many small buses, which were also heavily responsible for the smog, were withdrawn from circulation and replaced by larger buses in a coordinated line network. The Metro was considered the baseline network and set up shuttle buses. Furthermore, a uniform tariff was introduced in order to facilitate transfers.

The system started with difficulties since the beginning too few buses were in use and the Metro was chronically overcrowded. The first time was chaotic, there were protests, the reputation of the government under President Bachelet decreased noticeably and solely on the basis of the new transport system. The number of passengers rose Metro abruptly from 1.3 to 2.2 million passengers per day, which is a general admission density of 6 persons had / m² result.

Operating characteristics

Because of the high burden of routes and with two minutes already maxed headway an Express system was introduced in November 2008 in Rush Hour, in which the trains alternately. You will drive through at about every other station. At interchange stations but keep both the red and green trains. This measure more coatings may be used. The Express system is currently applied on lines 2, 4 and 5.

Construction and planning

President Michelle Bachelet announced in December 2009 that a new line 6 to be built to the business center at Tobalaba from the southwest of the city at the National Stadium over. The opening is scheduled for 2014.

Ideas for a line 3 provide a guide along the Avenida Los Pajaritos to the community Maipú, or to the communities Independencia and ñuñoa by the same road from the Américo Vespucio Norte to Plaza Egaña on Avenida Irarrázaval. However, there is no this decision.

On existing subway lines some new stations to be built:

• Libertad on line 5 between the stations Quinta Normal and Cumming
• Echeverría on line 4A between the stations La Cisterna and San Ramón.
• On line 4 of the metro station Arturo Prat is to be established (south of the Plaza de Puente Alto).