The Costa Rica Train Institute (Incofer) will be purchasing eight new train units with capacity for 400 passengers each by December of this 2017; unfortunately, new trains will not be arriving in the country until 24 months later.

This purchase involves an investment of US$52 million that is being provided through a loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE). According to the Incofer the purchase considers all the service specifications offered by the entity, Costa Rican topography, the railroad dimensions, the current characteristics of the train track (which doesn’t have the characteristics of the world standard); it also includes maintenance, training, and tools.

In accordance with regulation contained in Law 9366: Strengthening of the Costa Rica Train Institute and promotion of the Interurban Electric Train of the Great Metropolitan Area, of June 28, 2016, the Institute is authorized to make this type of purchases directly without need of authorization from the General Comptroller.

This obeys to the Government’s efforts to modernize the public transportation system. Another project which involves the concession of a fast train in the Great Metropolitan Area is also part of these efforts as well as the recent concession of the new train station in Heredia

“Incofer requires a modernization of its entire transportation system. We are faced with the need of taking tangible actions for Costa Rica”, expressed Elizabeth Briceño, president of Incofer.