Incofer Looking To Concession Train Service
Costa Rica's state rail administrator, the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (Incofer), is looking to concession San José's urban train in 2007, the Spanish language newspaper La Prensa Libre quoted Incofer president Miguel Caravaguíaz as saying.

Authorities came to the conclusion that the city's railway system needs further modernization, which would be possible through a concession scheme, Caravaguíaz said.

However, changes in the country's concession law are first needed before the train and other public infrastructure can be turned over to the private sector, a source from Costa Rica's national concession council (CNC) said.

Costa Rica president Oscar Arias and other government authorities are promoting the changes in the current concessions bill, while CNC officials work diligently for the process to continue to move forward, the source added.

Incofer officials have long sought to concession San José's urban train system in an effort to upgrade its service quality and have its route expanded.

"I believe we - the institution [Incofer], the MOPT [ministry of public works] and the government - are working as a whole and have visualized this as an alternative. We will work hard towards a concession in 2007, that will provide us with a modern railway system," said Caravaguíaz.

Authorities are focusing on purchasing new equipment with MOPT funding and working with Spanish public transport services company Feve.

Incofer kicked off operations on October 7th of last year of the 12.5km urban train linking the east and west of San José. The railway uses an old existing rail line from the 1980's and rolling stock donated during the 1990's. The service stopped operations in 1995.

The urban train - which has a capacity to transport 600 passengers a trip - crosses the city in about an hour and is an attractive alternative to travelling by bus, as the same trip would take an hour and a half and require three bus transfers.

The urban train only runs during morning and afternoon rush hours from Monday to Friday, from San Pedro on the east side to Pavas on the west side.

To generate revenue, Incofer has allowed a number of the train cars to be painted with company logos and advertising.

Railroads in Costa Rica are owned by Incofer.

In addition to operating the urban train, Incofer also freight trains from San José to Caldera (Pacific port, 91 km). In addition, a private company - AmericaTravel - organizes weekend tourist trains (The Tico Train Tour) from San José to Caldera.