Carlos Vargas, president of the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (Incofer) confirmed with Nacion.com an interest on the part of foreign public companies and noted that "... for now we can not give out details of the persons concerned or the type of partnership that could be used to operate the transport system, as they are awaiting the results of a prefeasibility study."

According to Vargas, "... when the data (study) is released, the interested parties can analyze and communicate if they wish maintain their position in regards to the project. The expectation of the organization is to release the study this month. 'What will follow is a presentation of the study, making it available to the public and companies interested in seeing what the demands are, what the possibilities are, what the project consists of. What everyone most wants to know is the number of passengers," said Vargas. "

See "Costa Rica: Money for Urban Train"

The ambitious plan, which several administrations have already tried to develop without success, is estimated at $1.6 billion, and consists in developing 80 kilometers of railways, with lines in two directions, overpasses and new additional stations on top of those that already exist. 

Source: Nacion.com

More on this topic

$550 Million Approved for Fast Train

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The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a loan to the government of Costa Rica to finance part of the project "Fast Passengers Train of the Great Metropolitan Area."

The investment in infrastructure and equipment of the project represents $1.298 million, which is expected to be executed under the modality of Public Private Partnership, with a state contribution of $550 million, which will be provided by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), according to a statement from the financial institution.

A $1.6 billion Fast Train

April 2018

The electric train planned for development in Costa Rica would cover a length of 80 kilometers of track, and the physical infrastructure of the project alone would have an estimated cost of $1.353 million.

At the end of December 2017 the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles presented an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) to build an electric train transport system in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM).

Umpteenth Train Project in Costa Rica

December 2014

Each new government brings with it a new railway project with new fundraising for further new feasibility studies and new promises of international tenders.

The new plan by the new president of the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (Incofer) requires "... at least $600 million to cover about 100 kilometers of track, which includes the route up to Alajuela."

Costa Rica: Feasibility of Metropolitan Electric Train

April 2014

The feasibility study which determines that the electric train in the greater metropolitan area is viable was carried out by a Spanish company, and paid for by the Spanish government as part of the marketing efforts made by railway companies, also of the same nationality.

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