Transport and Telecommunications Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz and Director of Metropolitan Public Transport, Paola Tapia, have announced that the first stage to transform RED Movilidad, Santiago’s public transport system, has come to a close.
As reported, the process has substantially increased the quality of the bus fleet that serves Greater Santiago. It means that two out of three public transport buses are now of a high standard.
Since Tuesday, 4,210 high-standard buses have thus been operating in RED Movilidad, equivalent to two thirds of the 6,500-unit fleet.
Added to these changes will be the renovation of nearly 12,000 bus stops and the unprecedented addition of 300 safe and accessible stops, with a panic button, changing display panel and information for people with visual disabilities.
Tender process
The authorities explained that this renewal is the result of a tender process for 40% of the services, which began on December 10. During this process, 1,640 new buses have been incorporated; of these, nearly 1,000 are electric and 600 are Euro VI buses.
Ten new services have also been created. It is estimated that, thanks to these services, some 642,126 passengers will benefit in a working day and 3,688,707 in a typical week.
On April 14, 2023, the Essential Content for the following tender was published.
An important point is that all new buses will be required to be zero emissions. These represent close to 1,000 units, which is around 15% of the fleet.
Five new service units will also be included, in a network design that considers the needs expressed by municipal authorities and feedback on the operation of the transport system. This aims to improve accessibility to health and education centers, as well as connections to the metro.
The main communities to benefit from this new process will be: La Granja, San Ramón, San Miguel, San Joaquín, La Pintana, La Florida, Pedro Aguirre Cerda, Puente Alto, Santiago, Lo Espejo, El Bosque, La Cisterna, Estación Central, Lo Prado, Cerro Navia, Maipú, Huechuraba, San Bernardo, Pudahuel and Peñalolén.