Puerto Rico Has A Subway? | Tren Urbano Explained

Did you know that Puerto Rico has a subway system? Learn more about it in this video!
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#TrenUrbano #Subway #PuertoRico

[@jayuski]

Not only Subway expansion is imperative throughout Metro San Juan, but also a commuter style train such as Amtrak or the Metro North is imperative to connect people from San Juan to other major municipalities like Ponce and Mayaguez as well as Aguadilla that has Puerto Rico's second major airport.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

True, but the trains should be nicer, like the one Mystic Transit showed, to demonstrate that if an offshore territory can build it so can the mainland US.

[@denicecarlagordon611]

They going to extend the tren system in Puerto Rico (Borikèn) this was a notice 6 days ago 🇵🇷 🚉

[@thefam5686]

The train literally goes from San Juan to Bayamom. In between Guaynabo. You want to go any further buses (which are horrible) and taxi or your own ride. Sadly does not connect to anywhere else around the island.

[@jayuski]

@@thefam5686 So Sad that it does not.

[@MJofLakelandX]

Linking to the Luis Munoz Int'l Airport would be a pivotal boost to ridership but I think sending it west to Toa Baja and north to Old San Juan (because a busway already exists) would be crucial. The commuter rail line from San Juan to Caguas would be a major investment but great reward in the end as the sole highway linking to the two cities is the most congested on the entire island. Here's to hoping Puerto Rico gets over the hump of money mismanagement and more insight by Capitol Hill to build a legitimate rail network in PR

[@matthewhernandez8342]

Boricua Pride 🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@justinroig5858]

I have nothing really to add so ima just drop a “Wepa”🇵🇷

[@principeperfecto6319]

Good informative video, didn't know PR had a train system. Do you remember that PR had endured a hurricane about 4 or 5 years back? About 90% of the island didn't have power and they had to light candles at night. Some were happy to get power back in a 6 month period. I think that they are supposed to be improving their infrastructure first, so other programs like transit had to be put.on hold. Trump did not want to support PR as a US territory, so even food and water got there slowly.

[@MysticTransit]

Yes, I do remember the hurricane. There was not enough help given to the island.

[@robertperrella4194]

actually 2 hurricanes and 1 earthquake !!!!

[@KCIRProjaM1]

Covering NYC, DC & PR. I knew why I like this channel. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@MysticTransit]

And I plan to cover much more in the future! I’m glad you like the content I post on the channel!

[@rubiksstudios4584]

I’m puertorican, have lived in the island all my life and the train just is too short to be practical. The stations are beautiful and all but almost nobody uses it and it costed millions to make, adding to already large debt our country has for nothing. As our corrupt government works, I think we won’t see the expansion (planned since the start of the train in 2004 but never developed) in the near future, it just has been to long and the public has lost interest. If your interested in train history of Puerto Rico, you should look into the “Ferrocarril de Circunvalación de Puerto Rico” ran by the American Railroad Company of Puerto Rico (and others) in the 19th-20th century. As it’s name states, it ran carros the whole coast of the island, but it ended up being dismantled with construction of highways in Puerto Rico by President Eisenhower

[@GonzoT38]

It always was a train to nowhere. Absolutely dumb original route selection. The line in green on the proposed expansion would have been solvent as a first stage. Airport to old San Juan, with a cut south on the existing red line to Rio Piedras. Not enough to serve the suburbanites in the hills of Guaynabo, Bayamón and Trujillo Alto/Caguas, but enough to keep ridership high in the central core and touristic areas. It has been an afterthought for decades, and local govt will never get serious about improving it. Not a priority for locals. They're accustomed to sit in traffic, and the island continues to hemorrhage working age people.

[@whypopme88]

it needs to be shut down! it is continuing to burn millions a year to stay in business with no ridership.

[@eyestoenvy]

It see's some ridership for what it is, so eliminating it wouldn't be wise and would worsen an already terrible traffic congestion problem. Fixing it is the way to go. But yes, the government is insanely corrupt. But what kills me is that the Dominican Republic, despite WORSE odds against it and an even more corrupt leadership, pulled off one of the nicest and efficient metro systems in the planet! And they are continuously expanding it! 62,000,000 rider s a year and growing. If they can, WE CAN.

[@hvactechpr7872]

A drive from Aguadilla to the airport is almost 3 hours, with rising gas prices its pulls you back 100+ dollars (including tolls and tank of gas or there's a regional airstrip in mayaguez you can hop on cape air for 50.00 and be in the airport in San Juan in 30 min.

[@MysticTransit]

Too long of a drive, and way too expensive. If rail transport was widely available, you can probably knock that down to 1 hour for $20.

[@whypopme88]

dude, the island is already broke. why should tax payers pony up 3 billion so you can save $100? makes no sense. you live there because you already save thousands on rent.

[@kedrinraymond5261]

I like the idea that Puerto Rico has a subway but it definitely needs to be extended

[@Vendorune]

Yeah I have been to the old San Juan and no connection with airport on both sides by subway is an issue. I didn't get to ride the subway for that reason. I would like to note that Miami has a fully automated subway line. Its actually several lines which switch to single line off hours, but it is not their full system - there are other "more traditional" lines.

[@MysticTransit]

Yeah, they missed a huge opportunity for high ridership with it not connecting to any Airports.

[@eyestoenvy]

"El Tren Urbano" operates more like a regional rail system here in the USA as opposed to a Metro or Subway. One connecting outer San Juan to Bayamon and that's basically it. Yet the rolling stock, stations, etc are like that of the latter mentioned and quite nice. A hybrid light rail system embedded in the streets like streetcars, with private rights of way as needed, and elevation trusses and bridges also as needed, would have been San Juan's best bet. Or a streetcar/subway model system like the trams serving West Philadelphia into Center City, or Boston's Green Line, would also fit the bill nicely. That is of course ensuring that all popular destinations (like airport, Condado, Isla Verde, Isleta, Hato Rey, Santurce, the cruise ports, etc) are all serviced. I love my island, its people, etc. But when it comes to rapid transit it PAINS me to no end to say that our neighbors in the Dominican Republic got it RIGHT. Their metro is wonderful, enjoyed by millions, cheap to ride, and is growing more and more with expansions as time passes. Thanks for the video.

[@rubncarlos]

Great video! You went over everything, as a daily rider I can say you covered 100% of the topic with pure facts.

[@MysticTransit]

I’m glad you think so!

[@EpicThe112]

Here's what could have been done during the Eisenhower Truman era they could have kept San Juan Tramway and modernize it using 1950s PCC Trams then replace them with Boeing Trams 1970s should last up to early 2000s or 2010s 1990s-present Tramway system would have gotten Siemens Stadtbahn Trams like San Diego then CAF Urbos to finish the Boeing Trams. If they want to expand Tren Urbano perhaps they should look at a DB BR 484/483 S-Bahn Berlin style derivative or Nürnberg U Bahn derived train. The 2nd option can allow Tren Urbano to run driverless operations to run this high frequency with extensions. Important thing to remember current British French and German EMUs if Tren Urbano needs Main line services South of San Juan those meet 2018 Crash standards. San Francisco Caltrain Stadler Kiss Rabe 511 SBB CFF FFS Dallas-Fort Worth Diesel version of DB BR1429 Flirt 3. For the San Juan regional rail it can be 15kv 60hz so that a DB BR1440 from Rhein-Ruhr region and Tharandter Rampe can run on that. 25kv 60hz then a Class 345 710 730 with transformer can operate that so is Siemens AM08 or double decker version DB BR462 Israeli Railways. That would require a separate signaling system ETCS european positive train control or use the Amtrak Metro-North PTC like Northeast Corridor and Harlem Line

[@TheMansfieldBusGuy]

Any Video plans For Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston,Bay Area or any other little Subway/Metro systems?

[@MysticTransit]

Yes, eventually. Also, I wouldn’t consider Chi-Town’s system “little”.

[@TheMansfieldBusGuy]

@@MysticTransit ​ I should have clarified everything after those four Systems were small. Like Balitmore, Cleveland, Miami, and LA. Tho Philadelphia Has a Small subway system for its size.

[@norbert1866]

Beautiful video, yes they need to extended much, much more for the all island ,,, Is a beautiful and pretty island,,, New York

[@harveyschwartz6789]

Supposedly it was corruption -why they ran out of money that caused the line to not be completed into downtown San Juan-the two missing stations that causes the low ridership.

[@GoldenTicket420]

It's good to see something different and new especially from Puerto Rico. You still have a lot of family out there but because of health issues and so on never really got to go. Although I do like they're rail network I definitely hope they get better looking trains and more reliable. Also r.i.p. to my grandma I would have loved to show her this because she would be surprised to see this being she's from .san ponce she never really seen much of Puerto Rico's development once she left. Cheers bro thank you for the knowledge of a route close to home

[@edwardrheneas5858]

Where the Bayamón station currently stands, there used to be a railroad-themed park. This park used 4 wheeled diesel-mechanical locomotives which were bought from the Aguirre sugar mill’s Ponce & Guayama railroad sometime during the 1990s. In total this park had 3 operational locomotives, one unoperational steam locomotive, and several vintage freight cars. This park was closed and was demolished for the construction of the station. The locomotives and passenger cars were sent to the “Tren Del Sur” which was a tourist railroad that used tracks from the Ponce & Guayama Railroad. The “Tren Del Sur” was mothballed in 2005 and during the early 2010s all the ex-Train Park locomotives and rolling stock were removed, these locomotives are presumed to be scrapped but one locomotive has been found in the terrains of “Super Asphalt” which is in Guaynabo.

[@ianmchale770]

Fascinating video! I found out about the Tren Urbano in the fine print of a Wikipedia article, but couldn’t find more information that answered my questions about it. This video was very informative and I learned a lot. Thank you Mystic Transit!

[@MysticTransit]

I'm glad I was able to give you some more information on the Tren Urbano, and that you learned from this video!

[@williamerazo3921]

San Juan didnt expand it where it needs to go

[@JaredVonBaren]

Dude, great video. 👏🏼 I remember riding the full Tren Urbano line while in PR, & I loved it. I found it very peaceful, & some of the scenery you get to see is just…beautiful. I also wish Puerto Ricans would embrace Mass Transit similarly to like, Japan, due to the cost of importation of gasoline, diesel, etc plus the fact that the San Juan Metro area then would see an even larger decrease in pollution numbers, and that’s good for tourism! Especially Eco-Tourism, which PR has a fair amount of. Get a solid funding source setup for El Tren Urbano, do the extension to Ponce first I’d actually say, then focus on the West to East lines, and make sure they don’t displace a ton of people. Also, try to keep the build profile @ ground, or below 👇🏼 ground level, so as to provide shelter during major Hurricanes 🌀 & other events.

[@michaelmorales1475]

You should do Mexico City next.

[@nysubwaydude5634]

Yeah

[@darrellduncan6958]

Aren't they repairing the metro remember what happened last year the bridge collapsed

[@williamerazo3921]

@@darrellduncan6958 that’s one line

[@MysticTransit]

I’ll consider doing it.

[@jayjasperjp]

I had a professor who worked on the Tren Urbano and he said the train was supposed to have a more convenient route but some PNP politicians got involved and changed it because they didn’t want “poor people having easy access to rich neighborhoods”

[@whypopme88]

that is complete bullshit.

[@mosessutherland1847]

good video man, i didn't know pr has a subway line

[@RMLK]

All they have to do is get a few R-160 with the Siemens propulsion and it makes the island trains sooooo much more enjoyable

[@TheGanimex12]

Since you´re covering the train in PR, would be great if you talk about the one on the DR. Currently it has 2 Lines (the second line is under an expansion to the west part of the city that´s going to be ready by the end of next year) with a third line, tram and a Train to San Cristobal (a nearby city) planned to start construction by mid 2024.

[@LSM_Lover]

Words can’t explain how good this channel is

[@warrengibson7898]

The low ridership is a scandal. The billions wasted on it could have provided a reliable electrical grid that is sorely needed.

[@vitamaltz]

There would be much more ridership if it connected more places where people needed to go. The lack of a network effect is the biggest problem. They could even make a fairly inexpensive extension of the existing route from Bayamón to the Cataño waterfront and have a big increase in ridership if they would only keep the ferries to VSJ running. The more places it goes, the more problems it solves, the more people will use it.

[@Thomastailsofttp]

I went to Puerto Rico in 2021 and I never knew it had a subway

[@Jayjaycurlss01]

I didn’t know it even know PR had subway system it’s a small world

[@MysticTransit]

Yup

[@williamerazo3921]

Siemans owns and operates the line. So it will be siemans rail cars it get

[@annetten.8667]

I heard the expansion of the trains and their services are coming in the fixture! That would be even more awesome! Gracias for sharing this video! .❤️🇵🇷

[@Thomas1980]

Superb capture! Super thumbs up!

[@jordancorporan6075]

You should check “Metro Santo Domingo” (MSD) (Train system in the DR and “Oficina Metropolitana De Servicios De Autobuses” (OMSA) Bus System in the DR. Edit: check out the Public Taxi network the DR has. You have more then 4 people going on a route in one car.

[@johnsantamaria9370]

Good work on this piece. I am hoping to assist the people at Tren Urbano with proposing upgrades to their system.

[@deaventuraconkikomas4281]

Thank you very much for sharing this video about the Tren Urbano(metro system) in Puerto.Rico. As a resident of Puerto Rico and a frequent rider of the Tren Urbano, I can tell that you described perfectly the situation of the train and busses here, and are pretty well-described all the details that marks the route of the short line that runs this Metro system in metropolitan area in our island. We are almost hopeless that they are going to finish the other lines that were proposed for this massive construction that duplicates its value of it's original budget, but I hope at least that they connect the airport or Old San Juan, which are major destinations to use this Metro as you say on the video. Once again, thanks for a very nice video.

[@thefam5686]

That this video title has a question, we are a developed island. We can be better but we are developed. So yes we have trains and buses, and if you're curious we have electricity and actual houses and buildings. We don't live in huts.

[@igtampe]

The Tren Urbano has a rich history, and is a tragic tale. There's quite a few interesting tid-bits, like how there was supposed to be a station in Minillas/Santurce (which by itself would've probably drastically improved its usability imo) which you did mention. But there's also some other tid-bits. The San Juan to Caguas rail line was later rebranded as NovoTren, which fell through. The proposed corridor the trains would've run through has recently been opened as reversible lanes for the PR-52, and a BRT service from Cupey to Caguas is expected to start soon (Similar to the one from Bayamon to Dorado). It's a shame that the visions and dreams some had back when the system was getting off the ground never came to fruition. You can see them in the 1999 progress update which was posted here on KZbin (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWW1mImoZaqfZ9k). It really all came down to a lack of funds. The Tren Urbano was brought up at the tail end of a prosperous era for PR (What with the pharmaceuticals and all). It was a project that was designed with the expectation of more money. When that failed, coupled with the not so useful first route, it really was a death nail to the whole system. There is hope, however. With rising fuel costs, the state senate recently brought up bolstering public transit, including extending the route. Though, we'll have to see how far that goes.

[@judevientos4039]

I remember when I visited right before the pandemic hit. One thing struck me immediately - the similarities to the DC metro stations are uncanny. It's almost a rip off, right down to the fonts they use for signage.

[@233CFH]

The pronunciation of "Tren Urbano" kinda sounds a bit funny when pronounced in American English lol but still great video.

[@MysticTransit]

I know. Unfortunately, my Spanish pronunciations are not that good.

[@233CFH]

@@MysticTransit Yeah that's relatable. Same here.

[@Neville60001]

This was a great report by you, Mystic Transit, educating people on the fact that Puerto Rico has a 'subway' line; I'd love to see this kind of system in the West Indies, particularly in Barbados, Trinidad, and Jamaica. Have you ever thought of visiting Toronto and doing a video about our public transit system?

[@fredyparamo9328]

Nice didn’t know P.R. had a Metro system. Will you be doing videos about Metro Systems in other countries. We love to see one From México 🇲🇽. Good Video 👍🏼💯

[@superspixy]

I do agree this system is awesome but not expansive I think they set up the system wrong instead they should’ve put it in San Juan,Condado and the airport from another Puerto Rican

[@ilovegayporn6493]

That would be very expansive for the system

[@Sinraiser]

Nowdays the ATM is damage and anyone can get a free ride since many train station in tren Urbano don't have employees to assist.

[@mauricepointer9555]

Wow, another great video! Your channel is outstanding. Keep up the great work.

[@jasonbxny0619]

The Urban Train connects with several routes served by First Transit & the Metropolitan Bus Authority. And their fare machines is much easy to trade fare value and they system is CBTC enabled that runs 4 cars during weekdays and 2 cars during nights and weekends. But right now the Guawa app keep tracks of departure times & bus arrivals for routes operated by First Transit like example the T-3 & the C22 & the E-20 that connects Bayamón station with the Toa Baja Park and ride this last one runs weekdays only

[@xguilloful]

It doesnt even cover the easter side of the island, its just in a highly populated area in the north. it covers nothing of the east

[@GabrielsEpicLifeofGoals]

Thank you for talking about the nitty-greedy details of our inferastructure, and not just our culture!

[@Nova-m8d]

We don't need your opinions, just facts.

[@Techno-Universal]

The current trains there look like older NY subway trains while at the same time there were much more modern trains Siemens were building such as the trains built between 2003 and 2005 by Siemens for Melbourne’s metropolitan train network! :)

[@Da__goat]

I feel like a lot of things holding back PR from becoming a formal state in the US is that fact that the primary language spoken on the island is Spanish and the relatively lackluster local government. 100 years as a US colony but nothing has improved.

[@LouisSubearth]

A lot of the population does speak English as a second language, however, efforts have been made to keep Spanish as the primary official language of Puerto Rico at the same time that English is made the second official language, in order to combat cultural erasure.

[@ohsobee]

I really hope they add more stops to the tren urbano, my car recently got stolen and it would be great if they reached more places

[@sparkswolverine]

They got a CVS out there! I don't know why I'm so surprised. And also that your're Puerto Rican-American. 😄

[@BeeBee-pl9ly]

Puerto Rico has almost every store that's in the US except for Target. But they have Walmart and best buy all over

[@denicecarlagordon611]

They going to extend the tren system in Puerto Rico (Borikèn) this was a notice 6 days ago now 🇵🇷 🚉

[@richardgonzalez6409]

Originally the supposed expansion they announced is a smaller version of the original design, that would have expanded father to the west east and south. But the whole project was so heavily politicized (like everything down here it's crazy) that what we got is just a poor fraction of what we have. And when it comes to the buses, I honestly didn't even know we had them! Since they're so rare to see them on time, on route and on schedule

[@djchino774]

That thing is more of a trolley than a subway system. The routes are extremely limited, they run empty almost all the time and people often prefer to use the bus that's always late rather than using the tren urbano.

[@valeriamarrerodiaz1731]

Thank You! It’s a very good video!

[@whypopme88]

the lack of bus transfer renders the subway system completely useless, nobody rides this thing. The entire subway system needs to be shut down to avoid wasting tax dollars. the island is broke. Nice video, very organized and informative.

[@brandont2758]

Siemens pause bruh Great video tho very informative

[@AlienThommy]

wow

[@AlienThommy]

Another fantastic video MT!

[@MysticTransit]

Thanks!

[@JorgeGonzalez-op8uz]

last time I read about this these were canceled... or do you have any updated info?

[@MysticTransit]

Unfortunately, I do not.

[@faustopg]

I was always under the impression that a subway system was subterranean, underground, like the subway system in NYC. The limited train system in Puerto Rico is above ground.

[@davidsotovega9113]

There is a part that is underground.

[@LouisSubearth]

It mixes elevated, at level and underground stations.

[@allones3078]

Man those extensions would be nice.

[@Lucrativecris]

3:16 That look earily similar to LAMTA subway stations

[@Carlos-dg9pr]

Loved the video! Could you share your sources? I'd really appreciate them since I'm working on a project of our public transportation system.

[@helenbryan1752]

Vey informative. Thank you.

[@zhou_kaw]

Puerto Rico 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@porshprix4286]

Thank you for posting the video.

[@xivinrah]

I prefer the WMATA 8-series designs over the new BART and MARTA designs.

[@nysubwaydude5634]

6:31 I wish the Mta has married pair ntt trains

[@dempseynevarez9371]

Is not really a subway. Except for the Rio Piedras section. The train that takes you nowhere and you'll have to drive to get to the train station. It is useless. It's best to just drive.

[@nwsd50sproductions49]

6:45 I don’t know man, if they pick the Cars of the Future, they would have to rebuilt the line to 5ft 6in broad gauge, which might be expensive since you have to also rebuild the platforms, tunnels and bridges to handle the broad gauge, or simply buy R211 cars

[@williamerazo3921]

What?

[@user-gc1ky2rf3y]

What system do they use for automated trains? LZB?

[@MysticTransit]

I don't know to be honest. It might be CBTC, maybe ETCS Level 2, or just normal Block Signaling 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@el_campeon_mundial8070]

🤙🙏❤️🙏🌎

[@savionmjallyeiither42luvr]

Your in Puerto Rico cool

[@MysticTransit]

I’m not currently in Puerto Rico.

[@kingarthurthe5th]

Guaynabo is pronounced "Goo-Ah-ee-nah-boh"

[@vitamaltz]

Hwhy-nabo

[@sgtdebones]

3:12 Hey look, Hollywood/Highland Station but boring and Spanish

[@alexharris2495]

We support turnstile hopping here? Good video though

[@MysticTransit]

I don’t. Unless you are in a tough financial situation, or (like me) having trouble with swiping your card, you should always pay.

[@hypurban]

4 days late for april fools

[@danny96787]

The worst train in the world. Spend billions of dollars and is only for an area that will be faster to drive. Some people who where involved in this are in jail. The bus network is when ever they choose to show up. The employees themselves like any other public or government job. They get paid to go and punch in but if you want them to do the job they are hired they wont cause they need more money. The problem with puerto rico is that the politicians had made a corporate business witth puerto rico. They ask federal money for something with the typical victim bs. Then they open a new building company over night. Then that company will make a the highest estimate of the construction cost. 2-4 times higher than normal Then that company will get the contract but with the condition to pay the politician who help them get the contract Right now there are over 20 mayors under fbi investigation. Cause they did what i said with a road construction company and a waste collection company. The company was having multimillion dollar contract a month and they will give the mayors 15,000 30,000 a month cash. Thats why i am pushing so there is no more help to the island. No matter if a nuclear bomb fall in there. And im puertorican The world is being fooled by the corruption here

[@NotTristeYT]

No offense but you need to say vede not verde

[@transitimprover]

I know a ton about trains. Since it is in the United States, I know it exists. Did you really think that I didn’t know about it?

[@MysticTransit]

Uh- interesting question. Given how little people talk about transit systems in cities other than NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco, I wouldn’t have expected a large portion of my audience to know about the Tren Urbano.

[@BsBsBock]

LOL

[@S_U_S_P_E_C_T_]

Are you goofy I don’t want no class 345 nonsense in my country I would appreciate some R142As in my country on the line

[@MysticTransit]

Bruh. I mentioned the Class 345 for the Regional Rail network. The R142A's are not rated for Regional Rail service. That is a subway train.

[@VEGAVIZ]

It’s not a subway system genius!!! 😂

[@MysticTransit]

It is

[@dwdwone]

I tend to agree. It's a subway line, not a system. I hope it does get built out one day.

[@aguerra1381]

If you're going to go through the task of putting together a video, consider doing a little research on how names and concepts are to be pronounced correctly.

[@workmanbro163]

FIRST

[@valeriamarrerodiaz1731]

Woww!!! J shaped Indeed! 🧡😍🫣🥹