WORLD NEWS
The Bogotá metro is due to start running in 2026 after Bogotá City Council approved a proposed agreement to fund the construction of the Colombian capital ' s first metro line .
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Colombia ’ s USD4.3-billion Bogotá metro plan is taking shape as the project has won development bank finance . A number of international development banks have agreed to provide funding for the development of the metro in the capital city . The World Bank is to provide USD70-million as part of the USD600-million requested by the government of Colombia to build a viaduct and carry out technical studies for the project . The remaining USD530-million will be made available for future operations .
The Inter-American Development Bank and the European Investment Bank ( EIB ) have also agreed to finance the scheme . The first 24km line of the metro will be built in the south-west of the city , on a raised earthquake-proof track . Its 23 trains will pass through 15 stations , each with a capacity of 1 800 passengers . The metro project is part of Bogotá ’ s 2016 – 19 Municipal Development Plan , including linking the bus system to the metro and 14km of cycle paths .
The EIB has made a USD480-million loan under its Climate Action and Environment Facility , which aims to reduce carbon emissions and pollution by promoting public transport . It is the first time the EU bank is financing a project in the public sector in Colombia , supporting a large-scale piece of infrastructure that will have major economic and social benefits for the people .
Earlier this year , Colombian officials visited London , looking for partners to build , operate , and part-finance the metro ; last year it was announced Systra would design it . The metro is due to start running in 2026 . Bogotá City Council has approved a proposed agreement to fund the construction of the Colombian capital ' s first metro line , more than 70 years after plans were first put forward .
Bogotá has a fast-growing population of more than eight million , but its deficient public transportation network is leading to major traffic problems . Bogotans are currently battling some of the worst traffic in the world . Last year , traffic data agency INRIX ranked the city as being among the 15 worst capitals for traffic in the world . Politics has stalled the need to upgrade the Bogotá Metro . In September 2017 , Colombia ’ s National Political-Economic and Social Committee ( CONPES ) approved a proposal for the national government to finance 70 % of the planned above-ground metro system .
With the commissioning date set for 2022 , Bogotá ’ s current mayor , Enrique Peñalosa , promised that by the year 2030 , 80 % of Bogotá ’ s citizens will have a mass transit line , metro , or trunk lines less than a kilometre away .
According to Systra , the transport planning consultancy selected for the project , the chosen viaduct will allow for a quicker building schedule , while the network ’ s design will have to also take into account the highly seismic context of the capital . Colombia ’ s most seismic place , Mesa de los Santos , which experiences some 40 tremors each day , is less than 400km away from Bogotá .
Calculating the overall reduction in commuting times , pollution and accidents caused by private cars , supporters estimate that for each peso invested , 1.21 pesos will be returned .
The choice of a controversial elevated line means it would be 28 % cheaper to operate , while the construction time would be reduced from 66 to 40 months . The risks associated with digging underneath Bogotá were also found to be too high to justify , due to the need to excavate under bodies of water and the desiccation of the soil .
14 - CEC October 2018