Transport and Telecommunications Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz, together with the mayors of Padre Hurtado, Felipe Muñoz, and Lampa, Jonathan Opazo, have announced the expansion of the coverage of the Red Movilidad public transport system to rural sectors in the Metropolitan Region.
This is a historic moment, as it is the first expansion since the integrated public transport system was inaugurated in 2007.
Padre Hurtado and Lampa
This extension means that, from October, Padre Hurtado will be connected to the system through the 131 service. Almost 30,000 residents of the municipality will be able to travel on the Red Movilidad network. This will imply significant savings to the family budget.
And we are taking about real savings. A resident of this sector in the Metropolitan Region currently allocates close to $1,800 Chilean pesos (US$2.12) from the family budget on traveling to and from the center of Santiago. They then pay a second fare if they travel to another destination.
With the Red Movilidad integrated system, they will be able to reach the center of Santiago and continue their journey by Metro or on another of the system’s buses, thus benefitting from fare integration without paying for a new ticket.
The good news also extends to another 17,000 people from the Valle Grande sector of Lampa, who will also be provided with a Red Movilidad service before the end of the year.
Role of residents
Residents have played a leading role in pushing for the extension of services. Their requests were heard by the Transport Ministry as part of its policy of openness and citizen participation.
As an example, the mayor of Padre Hurtado, Felipe Muñoz, delivered 25,000 signatures from people in the municipality requesting the extension of the network. They were joined by parliamentarians, the regional governor and local authorities.
The costs of implementing these extensions will be covered by the system’s own resources. Bus services have been improved for Metro extensions on Lines 2 and 3, providing a fleet able to cover the expansion.