Chile and China partner on landmark rail project to construct the Santiago-Batuco electric train line

A partnership between Chile and China has been forged with the signing of an agreement to construct the Santiago-Batuco electric train line. The project will see Chinese expertise play a central role in revolutionising transportation in the northern region of Santiago. This is reported by Crónica Digital, a partner of TV BRICS.

The future railway will connect the northern areas of Santiago with a modern, electric train service. The new trains are manufactured overseas (in China) and will feature modern amenities such as Wi-Fi connectivity and will adhere to the highest safety standards.

The Santiago-Batuco rail line will span 26 kilometres, transporting an estimated 35 million passengers annually. The electric trains will serve eight stations, reducing travel time between Quinta Normal station and the Batuco terminal to just 24 minutes, a significant improvement compared to the current 90-minute bus journey.

Experts hailed the agreement as "a historic step", emphasising that the project extends beyond just tracks and stations. It represents "a commitment to the future of more than one million people in the northwest of the Metropolitan Region".

Surface construction is scheduled to commence later this year, with the arrival of the new electric trains anticipated in 2027.

Photo: iStock / MJ_Prototype