The fastest train in South America now goes to Chillán

The fastest train in South America has reached a milestone, arriving for the first time in Chillán. This new long-distance service, covering 400 km, is currently the only regular service available. The severe weather fronts in June and August 2023 caused significant damage to trunk railway bridges in the Maule Region, delaying the train's operation from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.

President Gabriel Boric, accompanied by Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz, participated in the inaugural journey. They emphasized that this modern, high-standard service will benefit approximately 2 million people and is expected to handle 800,000 passengers annually. The launch of this fast train marks a significant advancement for Chile, addressing the long-standing neglect of public transport in many areas of the country.

The implementation of the fast train to Chillán began with service to Curicó on January 19, followed by an extension to Talca on March 12. As of April 18, the service reaches Chillán. A substantial investment of $148.5 million was allocated, with $71 million for new trains and $77.5 million for infrastructure improvements, including station upgrades, a maintenance workshop, and six new trains.

The journey time between Santiago and Chillán will initially exceed four hours, but will decrease as infrastructure works progress. The State Railway Company, EFE, plans to continue developing the Trains for Chile Plan with investments exceeding $8 billion by 2030. This will support large projects aimed at achieving 150 million trips per year, underscoring the government's commitment to enhancing rail transport across the country.