Costa Rica Awaits Study For Urban Electric Train
Costa Rica is on the edge of its seat, eagerly anticipating a public transportation overhaul that promises to address the severe traffic congestion and environmental issues plaguing the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). Despite several governments’ promises to build a train, these plans have yet to materialize.
According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), feasibility studies for an urban electric train— conducted by Meta Engineering from Barcelona, Spain—are expected to be delivered in October. Mauricio Batalla, Minister of Public Works and Transportation, confirmed that the Spanish company will provide detailed findings.
“In October, Meta from Barcelona will deliver the project and its feasibility study. We will then validate it with the President and the Minister of Finance to secure resources and advance this important project,” he stated.
The electric train it’s beneficial for society and for businesses. It’s a change that will create a more collaborative system between public and private transportation and will make the whole economy more competitive.
The electric passenger train will feature 46 stations, and 10 will be intermodal connecting directly with buses, taxis or bike systems.
Former President Carlos Alvarado had proposed a plan estimated to cost $1.5 billion, while the new project is expected to require approximately $800 million. Batalla noted that nearly $500 million is available in the Legislative Assembly through a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). This cost variation results from changes in the planned routes; the updated plan focuses on a route from Paraíso de
Cartago to San José, rather than connecting Cartago, San José, Heredia, and Alajuela as initially proposed.
The electric train would play a major role in helping Costa Rica decarbonize by 2050. The country’s electrical grid has run on more than 98% renewable energy for the last five years, but the transportation sector remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels.
In May 2024, Meta’s team conducted technical visits and strategic meetings as part of the consultancy for generating technical and administrative information aimed at formalizing the Fast Passenger Train (TRP) in Costa Rica. e law.
“At GrupoMeta, we are committed to transforming and modernizing public transportation in Costa Rica, ensuring a more sustainable and cleaner future for all. Our goal is to provide safe, clean, fast, and efficient transportation. This will reduce travel times, mitigate vehicle congestion, and lower hydrocarbon emissions, therefore enhancing the quality of life in the GAM,” they stated.
The next steps will involve reviewing the feasibility study in October and determining the funding and implementation strategy to move forward with the project.
