by Rod Hughes

For many years, the Costa Rican Railway System (INCOFER) was moribund except for some banana transport from plantation to port in Limon province. The railway was a victim of truck transport competition and a decrepid infrastucture. Today, INCOFER is planning for the future, thanks to rising diesel prices for trucks and increased government interest.

Officials of INCOFER intend to double the number of boxes of bananas transported by train to the Limon/Moin docks by refurbishing abandoned lines between Rio Frio and Pococí as well as to put the bridge over the Chirripó River back in action. What enables INCOFER, a nationalized company, to do all this is a transfusion from the government of $4.2 million. The goal, according to INCOFER president Miguel Carabaguíaz, is to carry 7 million boxes of bananas per year.

But their ambitions don’t stop with just bananas. They have their eyes on the tremendous export pineapple crop from the San Carlos area. Although pineapple producers are hopeful about this, pointing to diminished fuel costs per ton as well as less wear and tear on deteriorating highways, there is one technical hitch to overcome. After leaving the packing plant on their way to the port, pineapple has to be kept at an even, cool temperature. None of the antiquated railroad cars INCOFER has at its disposal is refrigerated. Pineapple Producers & Exporters Chamber president Abel Chaves says the industry will have to study whether it can give INCOFER refrigeration equipment for its cars and storage terminals.

Still another project is the total electrification of a fast passenger train to link Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago and several suburbs of San Jose together with regular service. Already a small train is serving part of this route but its locomotive is diesel-electric and the Arias Administration wants to make as small a carbon footprint as possible. A $1.2 million contract with the Brazilian company Engevix has already been signed for a feasiblity study on the project. “We won’t have to wait 30 years for this project,” says deputy Minister of Public Works Luis Diego Vargas, “We’re talking 2 or 3 years to be up and running.”

But just the first stage of the new fast line will cost upwards of $90 million. It all depends, says Minister of Public Works Karla González, if the government can convince the banks to finance the scheme. Certainly, she has no doubt that they will get many bids from would-be concessionaires to run the route once it is finished.