The Rebirth of Colombia’s trains: Driving Progress, Connectivity and Sustainability

This is just the beginning of the system’s revitalization. Several projects are underway that will strengthen the country’s connectivity, facilitating the transport of goods and passengers while promoting economic and social development.

Among them is the first line of Bogotá’s Metro, which has been widely discussed, and which recently reached a 50% construction milestone.

Alongside the metro is the Regiotram de Occidente, a project that will be Colombia’s first fully electric commuter train. This project, which will benefit more than 130,000 daily passengers, will reduce travel times between Facatativá and Bogotá from approximately three hours to less than 55 minutes.

This suburban train system will be integrated with other transport systems in Bogotá such as TransMilenio and the future metro.

In regards with freight transport, the first railway Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project will be responsible for strengthening and operating La Dorada – Chiriguaná corridor. The concession is set to be awarded on 3 April, 2025, although it is worth noting that this process has been delayed four times so far.

In addition, several major projects are underway, each at different stages of progress and with their own challenges. The third line of the Medellín metro, the Pacific Corridor, the Valle commuter train, the Regiotram del Norte, the second line of the Bogotá metro and others are underway.

The revival of the system has brought its own challenges, such as delays, budget cuts, political disputes, uncertainty about continuity after presidential elections, lack of clear regulation, and, of course, uncertainty about financing mechanisms.

Despite this, reactivation is underway, and the rail system is having an immense positive impact. The system has been proven to reduce logistical costs by 5% to 15% and has provided companies with efficiencies and savings in the transportation of goods. The system allows large volumes of freight to be transported at much lower cost.

In addition, given Colombia’s geography, rail transport offers a more stable solution than road transport, particularly in linking the country’s interior to its ports, thus facilitating international trade.

The train has the potential to become the key driver of the country’s economic and social development, bringing connectivity, efficiency, competitiveness, and true sustainability.

According to the ANI’s 2024 Management Report, the rail network is the second most important for freight transport in the country, surpassed only by the road network.

This shows that Colombia is working to achieve synergy between logistics networks. Intermodal transport connects rural and urban areas, producers and consumers, strengthens ties between regions, and brings life and movement throughout the country.

In Colombia, the train has ceased to be a relic of the past and has turned into a symbol of progress and development.

However, for all the elements discussed in this article to work properly, clear and consistent rules are needed. An established legal framework would provide long-term sustainability and legal certainty for all stakeholders.

For example, the ratifying The Luxembourg Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment would allow access to financing backed by international interests. This would allow rolling stock investors to protect their investments.

We are facing a huge opportunity to make a leap toward progress. With the rail system, we can reduce inequality between rural areas and cities, contribute to sustainability, and develop a competitive and efficient market. As a country, we must ensure that reactivation continues over time and that development does not stop.