Metro Riel
Proposed light rail line in Guatemala City
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Metro Riel is a light rail line proposed for Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City.
| Metro Riel | |
|---|---|
 Illustration showing what a light rail car on the proposed MetroRiel system might look like | |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| Transit type | Light rail |
| Number of lines | 1 |
| Number of stations | 20 |
| Daily ridership | 250,000 (projected)[1] |
| Technical | |
| System length | 21 km (13.0 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Background
In October 2016, it was reported that Spanish consulting engineer IDOM conducted a feasibility study into a 20-kilometre (12 mi) light rail system for Guatemala City, evaluating the cost at $770 million.[clarification needed][2] Journeys between the two termini of the line would take around 40 minutes at a commercial speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) on a largely segregated alignment.[3] The project was then shelved, but revisited in 2018.[4]
In April 2019, the Guatemalan national competition agency Pronacom and public private partnership promotion agency Anadie began seeking a consultant for an advanced design study for Metro Riel.[5]
Construction
In 2019, the municipality of Guatemala City signed an agreement with the country’s railway infrastructure manager Ferrovías to use an abandoned heavy rail alignment for the project.[6]
Preliminary construction works began in 2024, with a targeted opening of the first phase in mid-2027.[7]
The Metro uses part of the allignment of the former heavy rail line.