Metrotranvía Mendoza

Public transport system in Mendoza, Argentina From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Metrotranvía Mendoza (Spanish for Mendoza Light Rail or fast tramway) is a public light rail transport system for the city of Mendoza, Argentina, served by articulated light rail cars operating on newly relaid tracks in former-General San Martín Railway mainline right-of-way.

OwnerGovernment of Mendoza
Area servedGreater Mendoza
LocaleMendoza, Argentina
Transit typeLight rail
Quick facts Overview, Owner ...
Metrotranvía Mendoza
Train at 9 de Julio station, February 2015
Train at 9 de Julio station, February 2015
Overview
OwnerGovernment of Mendoza
Area servedGreater Mendoza
LocaleMendoza, Argentina
Transit typeLight rail
Number of lines1
Number of stations26
Daily ridership5,000 (2013)[1]
Websitemendoza.gov.ar/mtm
Operation
Began operation8 October 2012[2]
Operator(s)Sociedad de Transporte Mendoza (STM)
Number of vehicles50
Technical
System length17 km (11 mi)[3]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification600 V DC, overhead lines
System map
Legend
Airport (2025)[4]
Aeropuerto Internacional
El Plumelillo
 Espejo
 Avellaneda
 Marcos Burgos
 Tamarindos
 Patricias Mendocinas
 José María Godoy
 Rubilar
 Lugones
 Moldes
 Suipacha
 Mendoza
 Belgrano
 Pedro Molina
 25 de Mayo
 Pellegrini
Luján (2027)[5]
Chacabuco
 Rivadavia
 San Vincente
 Inginieros
 Loria
 Benegas
 Carrodilla
 Paso
 Besares
 Liniers
 Pueyrredón
 Agronomía
 Castelli
 Drummond
 San Martín
 Luján de Cuyo
San Martín
 Godoy Cruz
 Progreso
 Independencia
 Parque TIC[6]
 9 de Julio
 Luzuriaga
 Piedra Buena
 Alta Italia
 Maza
 General Gutiérrez
Trenes Argentinos Cargas
to Retiro (freight line)
This diagram:
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The 12.5-kilometre (7.8 mi) line runs between Mendoza and General Gutierrez in Maipú, on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge double-track rail. The Metrotranvía of Mendoza serves the metropolitan area of Mendoza, which includes the departments of Las Heras, Central district, Godoy Cruz, Maipú and Luján de Cuyo. Service operates from 6:00 to 22:00. The line has been named the Línea Verde, or Green Line.[2] The line operates on the right-hand side like road traffic, in contrast to the left-handed operation of the majority of the Argentine railway network.

History

In 2009 the Government of Mendoza Province signed an agreement to build a tram line between the cities of Mendoza and Maipú, at an estimated cost of AR$ 62,449,732.[7][8] Works were carried out by private companies Construcciones Electromecánicas del Oeste S.A. (CEOSA) and SOGESIC S.A.[9][10][11]

Project included a total refurbishment of Mendoza station, which had operated between 1885 and 1993 when it was closed by the national government.[12][13] The administrative building was reopened as a cultural centre named "Estación Cultural",[14]

An inauguration ceremony was held in February 2012,[2] but service did not begin at that time, as much of the construction work remained to be completed.[15] Starting on 29 April 2012 passengers were permitted to ride on occasional demonstration/trial services on a portion of the line. The system finally opened for regular service on 8 October 2012.[2]

2019 extension to Las Heras

In 2019, the main building at Mendoza railway station was completely remodeled, as part of an extension to Las Heras, Mendoza.[16] The rails used for this extension was manufactured in Spain, while the concrete sleepers were built in Argentina.[17][18][19] This extension included the construction of new level crossings, as well as the refurbishment of old railway stations.[19] This extension, bringing the Metrotranvía to Las Heras, Mendoza, opened to the public on 7 May 2019.[20][21][22] The Metrotranvía now ends at Avellaneda station, located on Avellaneda Street in Panquehua,[22] a neighborhood in Las Heras.

Future plans

A project currently planned will extend the line 4.8 km (3 mi) from Panquehua to El Plumerillo International Airport, and add another 15 km (9.3 mi) branch from the intermediate Godoy Cruz stop to Luján de Cuyo.[23][24] As of 2022, the airport extension was expected to open in 2025.[25] Meanwhile, the Luján de Cuyo branch, which is already under construction,[26][27] was initially planned to open in 2028. However, on 17 January 2024, it was announced that the Luján extension may open in 2027 instead.[5]

Rolling stock

Some of the ex-San Diego Siemens–Duewag U2 light rail vehicles that make up the fleet

The service was initially provided by nine (out of eleven delivered) Siemens–Duewag U2 light-rail vehicles (LRVs) acquired secondhand from the San Diego Trolley system in San Diego, California.[28][29] The first four (ex-San Diego cars 1028, 1055, 1070, and 1071) arrived in Mendoza in February 2011.[30] More had arrived by November 2011,[31] and the delivery was completed with the final two cars arriving on 27 April 2012.[32] Two cars (ex-San Diego 1055 and 1058) were used for spare parts.

In 2014 another seven cars were delivered, two of which entered service in 2019 (ex-San Diego 1056 and 1057, renumbered to 1009 and 1011), and the remaining serving as spare parts donors.

In February 2022, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System sent the first three of 39 Siemens SD-100 light rail vehicles to Mendoza.[33] 27 SD100s have been delivered by November 2025.

More information Image, Model ...
Current rail fleet
Image Model Fleet numbers (Qty.) Build Date Retired in San Diego Entered service in Mendoza
Siemens–Duewag U2 1001-1011
(11 units, ex-San Diego, where they were numbered in the range 1027–1071)		 1985–1989[34] 2010-2015 2012, 2019
Siemens SD-100 2001-2027
(27 units, 39 expected in total)		 1995 2022-2023 2022-present
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Network map

See also

References

External links

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