This month the Costa Rican Railroad Institute (INCOFER) announced that it was re-activating the train in San José. This is a measure to save gasoline and reduce congestion in the downtown area. The line is to run from the Tropigas plant in Pavas (the industrial district near the US embassy) to the U Latina in San Pedro (past the University of Costa Rica and Mall San Pedro).

While originally spokespersons predicted only 1 morning and 1 afternoon run, carrying about 500 people on each, recent reports have talked about much higher numbers. As many as 13 daily runs (round trip) are now projected.

The train is projected to begin running after Independence Day on September 15th and trip tickets will cost 300 colones for the complete ride, 61 minutes. In order to make the same trip on the bus, you would have to make one or more transfers and it would take over 90 minutes in rush hour. There will be 10 stops of a maximum of 2 minutes each along the way.

Crews are working feverishly to expose the rails and make repairs along the route.