State-of-the-Nation address 2023: New train services and developments in the regional public bus network
One of the points announced by the President was the implementation of the 30/30 Commuter Trains Plan, which will re-establish train services in various municipalities throughout the country.
Transportation and connectivity were two of the areas that President Gabriel Boric strongly touched on during his State-of-the-Nation address. The President emphasized plans for the railways and the strengthening of the public bus network, especially for regions throughout Chile.
In this sense, President Boric indicated, “this year, we took significant steps by presenting the train route that will connect Greater Santiago with Greater Valparaíso. We also received the fastest trains in South America, which will soon begin transporting passengers between Chillán and Santiago in just 3 hours and 40 minutes.”
On the railway announcements, the President said that three new train services will be added between Maule and Los Lagos. They will connect towns with their regional capitals, in a plan called the 30/30 Commuter Trains Plan.
This month, the Lautaro-Temuco- Pitrufquén service will begin to operate in La Araucanía Region, and the Curicó-Talca-Linares service in the Maule Region and the Llanquihue-La Paloma service in Los Lagos Region will shortly be opened.
Regarding the possibility of having a fast train service between Santiago and Concepción, the President indicated that progress is being made on the pre-feasibility studies necessary to enable construction of the northern access.
Buses
With regard to the strengthening of the public bus network, President Boric stated that, during 2022, more than $258 billion pesos (US$324 million) were allocated to acquiring quality buses and improving bus stops and signage.
“We also incorporated Limache, Olmué, Buin, Paine, Chillán, Chillán Viejo and Tomé into the national network of regulated public transport, which allows us to improve the reliability, quality and frequency of the routes,” he said.
“Along the same lines, this year we will incorporate Greater Concepción, Temuco-Padre Las Casas, and rural areas in the Metropolitan Region, such as Talagante, Melipilla and Peñaflor, into regulated transport. This will directly benefit more than 5,200,000 people,” he added.
The President also announced that, in 2024, the electric corridor connecting Coquimbo and La Serena will begin to operate. Furthermore, electric buses will be incorporated in Antofagasta, Colina and Til Til.
Finally, he announced that the Government plans to implement a new public transport system throughout Greater Valparaíso in 2025.