Tren Estación Central-Melipilla

EFE had been planning a suburban service between Santiago and Melipilla since the mid-1990s. The project got to the tendering stage, but there were no bidders due to an underestimated budget requirement and disagreements between EFE and Santiago Metro over the location of the city centre terminal. However the first stage as far as Malloco formed part of the company's 2014-16 development plan. Yet, works were not initiated, one problem being an inability to obtain environmental approval. In May 2019, environmental approval was granted for the project to introduce a commuter rail service running 25km from Santiago to Malloco on the line to Melipilla. Construction of this first stage is due to begin in 2020 and open in 2025, at a cost of US$1.56 billion.^[2]

In July 2025, it was reported that a three year subcontract with an estimated value of €100mn had been awarded to a consortium to construct the second stretch of 21.5km. This would include dismantling the current track and supplying track, sleepers, ballast and overhead lines for the new suburban railway which will feature three new tracks - two for passenger and one for freight services.^[3]

• Metrotren
• Santiago-Batuco commuter rail