Commuter Train Is Not Free Anymore; Service to Tibás To Start Soon
This week, the Tren Urbano - commuter train - that has been free on Tuesday and Thursdays on its daily weekday trips between San Pedro and Pavas is no longer free.

To spur commuters to use the train instead of their cars and buses, the Instituto Costarricenses de Ferrocarriles (Incofer) had been giving free rides on the two days since almost the beginning of operations in October.

The cost of the trip between the eastern and western limits is ¢300 colones (us$0.60). The operations cost for the two days was absorbed by five sponsor companies and the agreement expired at the end of March.

According to information by Miguel Carabaguíaz, president of Incofer, that a new agreement is being worked out with sponsors and the free ride should resume by the end of the month (April). Carabaguíaz said that a few of the original sponsors are looking to stay while negotiations are going on with several new sponsors.

Carabaguíaz added that following Semana Santa he hopes that the train will begin to provide service along a north track to Cuatro Reinas de Tibás. A 20 metre long bridge is being installed in the area of Cinco Esquinas and the work should be finished within two to three weeks.

Carabaguíaz said that the metal bridge was removed from another location, though he would specify, and is being installed on the Tibás route, which will have stops at Calle Blancos, the Universidad Costa Rica and Universidad Latina.

The route is the first step in getting the train to Heredia which Carabaguíaz said may be a possibility by the end of the year.

For this week - Semana Santa - the train, like most public transportation, will not operate on Jueves and Viernes Santos (Good Thursday and Good Friday).