In the coming weeks the government is expected to announced plans for a “Tren-Tram“, an intercity connection of the train and streetcar.
The fusion would see the proposed streetcar running along Paseo Colón and Avenida Segunda in San José, connecting with the train fort San José, Heredia, Cartago and Alajuela (still in the planning stage).
The proposal is by the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER) – Costa Rica’s national railway system.
The plan includes replacing the diesel engines with electric, and the trolley cars with large capacity and able to move up to 100 km/h.
INCOFER president, Miguel Carabaguíaz, says the project is ready, what is needed is to finalize the financing and the approval by Presidenta Laura Chinchilla.
The overall objective is to move people over 80 kilometre of train track from the Basiclia in Cartago to Ciruelas, Alajuela, with 17 stops in between, in about an hour. The trip can take 90 minutes or more by car, up to three hours using the current bus/train system.
Carabaguíaz said that if approved the train-tram would be operational in about four years.
Opponents believe the proposal will create more traffic chaos in the capital city and place pedestrians at risk.
Excellent! And cheaper than an underground. As far as the critics, they don’t think very highly of their fellow Ticos, do they? Less cars means less accidents and as I recall in C.R. cars have the right of way. I hope this pans out!