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Today I am going to tell you how to use the great Metro of Santiago and also how this means of mass public transportation works. Chile.
The Santiago Metro is a key part, not to mention the most important, of the public transportation system of the Chilean capital. Inaugurated in 1975, This subway has become an indispensable part of the daily life of more than 5 millions of people, transporting them quickly and efficiently. Travel more than 140 kilometers across seven lines and 143 seasons, connecting important points of the city such as La Moneda, Italy Square, Providence, Las Condes and Central Station, Matches, Puente Alto and many more.
The Santiago de Chile Metro
The history of the Santiago Metro dates back to the decade of 1960, when Chilean authorities began planning a train system (I would say inspired by what was achieved in Buenos Aires back in 1913) in the face of the accelerated population growth that the city experienced. The construction of the subway began in 1969 and the first line, Line 1 (roja), was inaugurated in 1975. Since then, the network has expanded significantly, doubling its extension in the last two decades, with the inauguration of the lines 4, 4A, 5 and 6, and the extension of the lines 1, 2 and 3.
Before going into more depth of information, I share with you a mega report that I did knowing all the lines of the most extensive metro system in Latin America:
How to use the Santiago Metro?
The Santiago Metro is a very easy to use system, designed to be accessible to everyone. The stations are well signposted with maps and information screens. (although some did not give more information), that facilitate user orientation. Trains run at high frequency (They are seventh in the world at this point), especially during rush hour, with intervals up to 2 minutes between trains.
I find the Santiago Metro fares quite economical., especially for the great service (that usually) is provided. Here it should be noted that the rates are not fixed and vary depending on the time and even day., in which you use it:
- point time 07:00 – 08:59 and 19:00 – 19:59 son $830 Chilean pesos
- Valley time 09:00 – 07:59 and 20:00 – 20:44 son $750 Chilean pesos
- Hour under 06:00 – 06:59 and 20:45 – 23:00 son $670 Chilean pesos
As we can see, The rates are dynamic and range from $0.69 cents on the dollar to $0.85 cents on the dollar.
But the price doesn't end here, since the metro is integrated with the surface bus system, allowing users to use a single pass to combine both modes of transportation and generally, without paying additional (maybe there could be a difference in rate).
The Santiago Metro is integrated with the city's surface bus system through the Bip card!, which allows you to pay for trips in both systems. This makes it even easier and more convenient to get around the city, since users can combine different metro and bus lines to reach their destination.
The Bip is the only active way to use the subway, there is also an app, but thinking about the tourist, acquire the mandatory card and it costs $1.540 Chilean pesos and can be purchased at all metro stations at counters or machines. A woman told me that some stations already accept access with credit or debit cards and that this method will soon be expanded to more stations in general., to the entire system.
The Santiago Metro is more than just a means of transportation. It is a symbol of the city and an important part of its identity and history., but it doesn't end here, The Santiago metro is constantly expanding and improving. New lines and stations are being built, like the line 9 that will connect the northern part of the city, and new technologies are being implemented to improve the user experience, such as train automation and the installation of more modern information and security systems (they are going to invest more than $1.200 millions of dollars to modernize the Lines 1 and 2).
It should be noted that in most stations there is an Internet signal, Wi-Fi, There are no bathrooms and the trains do have air conditioning, this in case you were wondering, but not everything is good, since there are lines that have lowered their level of service, you see street vendors, singers and people asking for money, which reduces the overall user experience, Regrettably.
As you can see, this meter is very easy to use, you buy the Bip! and you load it with whatever salt you want, a list! Equal, I leave you some additional tips for using the Santiago Metro:
- Ojo, The metro runs from Monday to Friday 6:00 a 23:00 hours, Saturdays of 6:30 a 23:00 hours and Sundays and holidays 8:00 a 23:00 hours.
- Download the official application of the Santiago Metro, This app allows you to plan the trip, check waiting times and buy tickets electronically.
- You can also use Google Maps (what i used) and gives you the arrival and departure times of the trains in real time.
- Be careful with your belongings, the subway can be a busy place, so it is important to be careful with our things, although in general the feeling of security is very high, It is always good to be aware of our surroundings and personal belongings..
- Personal experience: information on trains and line signs 4, 4To and 5 it's very bad, so I recommend being attentive so as not to get lost..
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