Q COSTARICA — What once felt like a minor inconvenience, traffic congestion has now turned into a daily struggle for thousands, especially in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), which includes the capital, San José, and its surrounding suburbs.
The root causes are clear. Rapid urban growth, a surge in vehicle ownership, and limited road infrastructure have all collided to create a perfect storm. And no expansion of the urban train.
For years, the idea of a modern, efficient urban train system in Costa Rica has been a hopeful vision for easing the country’s notorious traffic congestion and boosting sustainable transportation. Yet, despite repeated promises and ambitious plans, the expansion of Costa Rica’s urban train network remains frustratingly stagnant.
Perhaps the worst is the actions or lack thereof of the current government led by Rodrigo Chaves, who will leave office on May 8th without having purchased a single train during its administration, which began in 2022.
“Regarding the acquisition of rolling stock (equipment), we have made contact with some countries to explore the possibility of purchasing trains; however, no units have been acquired,” the state rail, the Incofer, responded through the press office.
The last investment in trains was in 2020 during the administration of Carlos Alvarado, when eight train units were acquired that are currently operating alongside eight others that were already in service.
The Incofer has maintained the same number of train units despite an increase in passengers.
In 2022, the Incofer reported a total of 2,572,952 passengers, a figure that increased to 3,423,887 in 2023. By 2024, there were 3,689,747 passengers, and in the first half of 2025 alone, the figure reached 1,736,014. The total for last year has not yet been released.
The electric train
The Incofer emphasized that the institution’s current priority is advancing the Metropolitan Electric Train project, known as “Tibi.”
The focus is on the approval of a loan for the development of the electric train.
The proposal is titled: “Approval of the loan agreements signed between the Republic of Costa Rica, the CABEI, and the European Investment Bank for the construction, equipping, and commissioning of lines 1 and 2 of the Rapid Passenger Train (TRP) system in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM).”
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will contribute US$550 million, of which US$178 million will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund. The European Investment Bank will contribute US$250 million.
Additionally, a US$21 million donation from the Green Climate Fund is included.
The proposal reached the Legislative Assembly on November 12, 2025, although it was announced in September.
This initiative is it. There is no alternative for the train in Costa Rica.
Álvaro Bermúdez, executive president of Incofer, believes that buying expensive, used trains is pointless because it involves a very high cost. These are units that are 40 or 50 years old.
He also emphasized that spare parts are expensive. “Continuing to buy used trains doesn’t make much sense,” the Incofer president is quick to point out.