A lawmaker representing Puntarenas said Monday that he would introduce a bill that would permit the national railway company to turn over its work to a concessionaire.

Concessions are the new buzz word in politics even though Alterra Partners has had a rough time getting payment for its management of Juan Santamaría airport.

The lawmaker Monday was Mario Núñez Arias of the Movimiento Libertario. He said he envisioned a passenger train crossing the entire country from north to south, from Peñas Blancas to Paso Canoas. But initially he wants restoration of service from San José to Puntarenas. Lines already are in from the southeast near  Sixaola to San José and to Puntarenas. However, the lines are damaged and not used between San José and Siquirres.

Núñez said he would seek to have the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles sell all its activities except its property and use the cash generated as front money for a concessionaire who can develop a real railroad with new branch lines.

He noted that the Provincia de Puntarenas is largely poor and under developed where there is little work. The rail line would help, he suggested.