Urban Train expansion plans include route to Old San Juan
Puerto Rico’s Integrated Transportation Authority is evaluating new stations and business concessions.
The expansion of Puerto Rico’s Urban Train is being assessed, Josué Menéndez, executive director of the Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI), said in an interview with News is my Business.
“Some consultations have taken place regarding the Urban Train’s expansion to the northeast of Puerto Rico,” Menéndez said. “The intention is basically to continue expanding the train’s services. The important thing is that with the studies being carried out, we basically present to the Federal Transit Administration the need for expansion, where it would run through, and what services would be offered. That way, we are able to request those federal funds.”
Menéndez also mentioned that this week he will participate in the quarterly meeting with the FTA, where the Urban Train’s expansion will be a key topic.
A station at the Distrito T-Mobile convention center district is being considered, as well as a station in Old San Juan.
“Even though we have not finished the study, [FTA officials] will ask us [about it] as part of the agenda,” Menéndez said.
He emphasized that Puerto Rico’s transportation systems are undergoing a total transformation, and the Urban Train “is not left behind,” as it is an integral part of the process.
“We have a lot of work. Planning is essential and continuity is as well,” he said. “In terms of the restoration, we are talking about public works, communication systems, audio and video systems, updating elevators and stairs. The ticket vending machines are on the way. We have done it little by little, but we have achieved it. And what we are doing now is continuing with that transformation to achieve all those objectives.”
Although renting spaces in the Urban Train stations has progressed slower than expected, a few businesses have already established themselves. At the Torrimar station in Guaynabo, there is a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop, while the Bayamón station is home to Dipea Wings and other establishments like ICPR Junior College and Beer Me Home, a beer and tapas bar.
Menéndez explained that there is a program called “Vive Urbano,” which is working on the real estate aspect of available Urban Train station spaces for rent.
“There is a gym, a barbershop and I think there is a karate dojo at the San Francisco Station,” Menéndez noted. “All these spaces will be rehabilitated [by] every tenant. We will be announcing all the concessions that are going to be established. The thing is that not all concessions will open at the same time. What we want is to boost the use of public transportation, more so now that it is free, so that all these concessions are visited.”
The Sagrado Corazón Station in Santurce also features several businesses, including Fetch, a dog day-care center; Photo Heavy 26 Inc., a photography service; the coffee shop EuroCafé; and a Drivers Service Center (Cesco, in Spanish).
There should have been a terminal at the airport, I see that these idiots running the government have no freaking Idea what they are doing. Connect the darned train to Sju Airport! Then try to go around the Island. Many more people will use it.
Instead of remodeling stations, not only expanding the service to Old San Juan should take place, but it also must include expanding the network to densely populated areas like Caguas, Carolina, the airport, and others
The station at bayamon should not be the last stop let move on going to Plaza de sol. And hate teja and then to Candelaria . Candelaria arenas and then to Dorado. Last stop.
The station of Bayamon should not be the last stop it should keep going on and have 5 more station s
Now in 2025 should start contractions for this train san juan should have 7 train lines is a big metro
Here in new York city subway fare is $2.90 so the tren urbano should be $2.50 cents is not bad at all that way the tren urbano will make more money for more subway system lines for the metro of sanjuan. It should have 7 lines. It will be so great for the people of san juan and visitors.
Can’t wait for this negleted system to come to life
The urban train of san Juan Puerto Rico needs to be added more stations from Bayamon to dorado
20 months is almost up for this study that started in 2024 I think they should start already. No delay on this project.