Tren Urbano
90px Route Map
Background
Owner	Puerto Rico Department of Transportation (DTOP)
Locale	San Juan Guaynabo Bayamón
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	1
Number of stations	16
Daily ridership	43,800 (Average weekday)
Headquarters	Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Operation
Began operation	December 17, 2004 (2004-12-17)
Operator(s)	Alternativa de Transporte Integrado (ATI) Siemens AG
Number of vehicles	74
Train length	4 Vehicles (two permanently coupled pairs) during peak hours; 2 Vehicles (one permanently coupled pair) during off-peak hours, weekends and holidays.
Headway	12 minutes (8 minutes during peak hours)
Technical
System length	10.7 miles (17.2 km)
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge)
Electrification	Third rail, 750 V DC
Average speed	20.6 mph (33.2 km/h) (including stops)
Top speed	62 mph (100 km/h)

The Tren Urbano — or Urban Train in English — is a 10.7-mile (17.2 km) fully automated rapid transit that serves the metropolitan area of San Juan, which includes the municipalities of San Juan, Bayamón and Guaynabo. It is electrified by third rail at 750 V DC. The Tren Urbano consists of 16 stations along a single line.

The Tren Urbano complements other forms of public transportation on the island such as the public bus system, taxis, water ferries and shuttles. The entire mass transportation system has been dubbed the “Alternativa de Transporte Integrado” (Integrated Transportation Alternative) or “ATI”. Tren Urbano is also the Caribbean's first rapid transit system.^[1]

History[link]

Tramway in front of City Hall in Plaza de Armas, Old San Juan (circa 1902)

In the late 19th century while the island was under Spanish rule, regional rail systems were begun in Puerto Rico. The railroad continued to be in use for the most part of the first half of the 20th century and played a key role in the transportation of people and goods throughout the island. The railroad systems of the period also played a vital role in the sugarcane industry.

From 1901 to 1946 San Juan had a street tramway network known as “Trolley” de San Juan operated by the Porto Rico Railway, Light and Power Company^[2] with more than 20 miles (32 km) of tracks and ran between San Juan and Santurce. During its heyday, it was the most modern electric streetcar system in Puerto Rico, rivaling New York and Toronto and transported nearly 10 million passengers a year. Today there are plans to bring back the tram to the heart of San Juan to complement the Tren Urbano.^{[citation needed]}

During the 1950s, an industrial boom, due in part to development programs such as Operation Bootstrap, led to the downfall of agriculture as the principal industry on the island. During this decade automobiles became more widely available. Newer, and more efficient roads and highways along with the closure of sugarcane mills displaced the need for rail transportation. It was not long that it was realized that an alternative means of mass transportation was needed in addition to the public bus system to alleviate the severe traffic situation that was being created, especially in the San Juan metropolitan area.

Return of rail transit[link]

Proposals[link]

ATI logo graphics on trains.

Passengers disembarking at Roosevelt Station.

In 1967, proposals were made for the construction of a rapid rail transit system to serve the city of San Juan. It was not until 1989 that Puerto Rico’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas or DTOP in Spanish) officially proposed the construction of a new rail system. The train system was dubbed the “Tren Urbano”, Spanish for “Urban Train” or "City Train". In 1993, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) selected the Tren Urbano as one of the Turnkey Demonstration Projects under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. During 1996 and 1997, seven design-build contracts were awarded for different segments of the Tren Urbano Phase 1 system.

A number of companies^[3] shared the tasks for building the Tren Urbano including Siemens AG which was granted a concession to design and build the line and its rolling stock, and to operate it for the first five years. The company won a contract which was a “first” for North America in the scope of the work which it involved, and which was awarded in July 1996.

Construction[link]

The construction project was plagued by delays, contractual disputes between the government and companies involved in the undertaking, as well as investigations into possible mismanagement of funds. The project cost was US $2.28 billion.^[4]

Free Service[link]

The rail system was officially inaugurated on December 19, 2004 (2004-12-19). After this date, free service was offered on weekends until April, 2005 when weekdays were added to the free service. Popularity grew quickly and by the end of the free period 40,000 people were using the train on a daily basis. By late 2005, however, ridership had fallen to 24,000, less than one-third of the 80,000 projection (and well below the projection of 110,000 for 2010).^[5]

Paid Service[link]

Paid fare service started on June 6, 2005 (2005-06-06).^[4] In 2006, average weekday boardings stood at 28,179 and in 2007, ridership decreased to 27,567.^[4] Ironically, the Tren Urbano goes mostly through suburban areas. Nonetheless, by the third quarter of 2008 average weekday ridership had increased to 36,500.^[6] Though it was announced that effective the month of March or April 2010, the fares would be reduced 50%. Fare was reduced from $1.50 to actual $0.75.

Issues and Concerns[link]

There is no service to Old San Juan, Santurce, the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (and many other parts of Guaynabo, Bayamón, and San Juan), and it doesn't serve important suburbs like Cataño, Toa Baja, Toa Alta, Carolina, Trujillo Alto, Canóvanas and others, which helps to explain low ridership. Some question the viability of this system for additional reasons, such as the lack of an island-wide public-transportation system. The inner-city, public bus transportation system—the Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA) -- that operates in the Greater San Juan Metro Area is considered unreliable by most people, and it does not have a regular schedule. Integration with public mass transit systems, such as the AMA and the Acuaexpreso (an urban ferry), remains a challenge for the DTOP.

The use of bicycles as an urban mode of transport is growing in Puerto Rico, despite the lack of proper, widespread bicycling infrastructure that P.R. Law 22, Ch. XI calls for, and that is the DTOP's responsibility to build. The Tren Urbano allows bicyclists to bring their bicycles into the train with them as part of its 'bici-tren' program, but critics point out that the program is not widely advertised to the public and requires a photo permit that expires one year after issuance.^{[citation needed]}

Customer service centers are located only at the Sagrado Corazón and Deportivo stations. These are also the only two centers/stations that issue the bici-tren permit.

Route[link]

Torrimar Station

Bayamón Station

Tren Urbano is currently made up of one rapid transit route. It consists of 16 stations, ten of which are elevated, four at grade or in open cuttings, and two underground. All stations are designed to handle three permanently coupled pairs (6 vehicles). The stations in the system are:

• Minillas (Phase 1A) Planned ←
• Sagrado Corazón (Sagrado Corazón) (360 parking spaces)
• Hato Rey (Golden Mile / José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum)
• Roosevelt (Golden Mile)
• Domenech (Hato Rey) – (Biography: MANUEL V. DOMENECH)
• Piñero (Hato Rey)
• Universidad (Río Piedras / University of Puerto Rico)
• Río Piedras (Río Piedras)
• → Carolina (Phase 2) Planned
• Cupey
• Centro Médico (University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus)
• San Francisco (535 parking spaces)
• Las Lomas
• Martínez Nadal (1200 parking spaces)
• Torrimar (Guaynabo)
• Jardines (128 parking spaces)
• Deportivo (Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium / Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez)
• Bayamón (Bayamón) (400 parking spaces)

Each of the 16 stations boasts unique artwork and architectural style.

A maintenance depot and operations control center is located halfway along the route, between Martínez Nadal station and Torrimar station.

Rolling stock[link]

Tren Urbano's fleet consists of 74 Siemens, stainless steel-bodied cars, each 75 feet (23 m) long. Each vehicle carries 72 seated and 108 standing passengers. Trains have a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h), and average 20.6 miles per hour (33.2 km/h) including stops. All cars operate as married pairs and up to three pairs will run together at any time. Tren Urbano currently operates 15 trains during rush hours, while the remaining cars stand at the yards or serve as backup should a train experience problems.

Power is provided by AC traction motors, chosen over DC as they contain fewer moving parts and require less maintenance. The trains share many characteristics with the stock built by Siemens for Boston MBTA's Blue Line route.

Air-conditioning systems, have been specially designed to cope with the hot, muggy conditions which are the norm in San Juan.

Fares[link]

A single trip costs $0.75 ($0.75 if you transfer from an AMA bus) including a 2 hour bus transfer period. If you exit the station and wish to get back on the train the full fare must be re-paid; there is no train to train transfer period. Students and Seniors (60–74 years old) pay 35 cents per trip. Senior citizens older than 75 and children under 6 ride for free. Several unlimited passes are also available.

A stored-value multi-use farecard may be used for travel on buses as well as on trains. The value on the card is automatically deducted each time it is used. It is a system similar to the Metrocard system used in New York City.

Security[link]

All Tren Urbano stations are protected by specialized security units, such as private police companies and the Tren Urbano Police of the Puerto Rico Police Department. 72 law enforcement officers compose the police force of the Tren Urbano Police.^{[citation needed]} In August 2009, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico indicated that he will make a Strike Force Unit specialized in terrorist attempts and suspicious activity.^{[citation needed]}

Expansion Plans[link]

Plans for extension of the Urban Train project.

Carolina Tunnel (1 of 2) at the Río Piedras subway station.

The Tren Urbano potentiality with its six–car train set and a minimum headway of 90 seconds, would give a maximum capacity of 40,000 passengers per hour per direction, and compared to the actual peak hour 8 minute headway of 3,000 passengers per hour per direction (actual daily ridership is roughly 40,000 commuters), the train is working at 13.33 per cent capacity, which is well under the 110,000 rail passengers it planned by 2010.

In addition, with a fleet of 74 rail vehicles in the local yard to cover at least, “double” the 10.7 miles (17.2 km) system length, and with all the basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning in place, it is indispensable that the train be extended as it was originally intended to include higher-density areas of the central district for it to be operationally successful and sustainable.

The Puerto Rico's Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) plans include:

Phase 1A[link]

• Phase 1A^[7] of the project includes the extension of the original line westward from the current terminal at Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart) through a medium to high density corridor in two stations: San Mateo to a new terminal at Minillas at the heart of Santurce, a distance of 1,500 meters, with a possible transfer from Minillas to a future tram line from the historic district of Old San Juan to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Phase 1A was approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.^[8]
• By the end of fiscal 2008, the legislature identified federal funds for the expansion of the train in its second phase. It was expected that during fiscal year 2009 the legislature would begin to issue bonds for this purpose.

Phase 2[link]

• Upon opening of the Tren Urbano, there were further proposals to extend the rail system to other municipalities such as Carolina. A two-way tunnel, 136 ft (42 meters) in length, south of the Río Piedras Station is already built for a future expansion along heavily transited 65th Infantry Avenue.^[9]

Medium capacity transit system[link]

• In addition, the DTPW plans to build TU Conexión, a medium capacity transit system that will go into service along Roosevelt Avenue by 2002, linking the De Diego, Domenech, and Hato Rey Centro stations of Tren Urbano with the Plaza Las Américas shopping mall.^[10]

Other projects[link]

There are several projects to improve public transport connectivity:

• Also being considered (2008) is a tramway from Sagrado Corazón station to colonial Old San Juan in Puerta de Tierra where many of Puerto Rico's state government buildings are located. It will run partially on an existing right-of-way on Fernández Juncos Ave.^[11] Construction was originally projected to start in 2009, but the Fortuño administration is exploring other financing options, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.^{[citation needed]} The first line of the tramway will be built by the Municipality of San Juan (MSJ) and will be known as the Sistema de Asistencia, Transportación y Organización Urbana (System of Assistance, Transportation and Urban Organization) (SATOUR).

• The proposal to build a second tram line to Carolina, possibly with a station at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

• The extension of a line to Caguas by the existing Urban Train from the Centro Médico o Cupey stations,

• or a second plan for the development of a line to Caguas with a new "light rail" network system with future extensions throughout the island.^[12]

See also[link]

Puerto Rico portal

• Transportation in Puerto Rico
  • Rail transport in Puerto Rico
  • List of Puerto Rico railroads
• List of metro systems
• Rail transport
• Metro systems by annual passenger rides
• List of United States rapid transit systems by ridership

References[link]

• Railway-Technology: San Juan Details of the Tren Urbano project.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tren Urbano de San Juan

External images
	Rapid Transit Systems – San Juan – Photographs of the Tren Urbano.

• Tren Urbano – Official Website (Spanish)
• Urge darle vida al Tren Urbano – Editorial de El Nuevo Día (Spanish)
• Urban Transport Technology – San Juan Tren Urbano Heavy Rail System, Puerto Rico
• Puerto Rico Public Art Project – Tren Urbano – Photos and information related to the artwork located on each of the train route's stations.
• En Rieles – Campaign to promote San Juan Tram (Spanish)

v t e Railroads of Puerto Rico Current Tren Urbano (ATI) • Port of Ponce Railroad (PRMU) • Tren del Sur (TDS) Planned San Juan-Caguas • Hatillo-Bayamón Former American Railroad Company of Puerto Rico • El Parque del Tren • Western Férrea Line • Fajardo Railroad • Humacao Railroad • Northern Railroad of Porto Rico • Ponce and Guayama Railroad • Ponce Light Company Railroad • Porto Rico Railroad and Transportation Company • Porto Rico Railway, Light and Power Company • Roig Railroad • San Juan and Carolina Railroad • Trolley de San Juan • Vega Alta Railroad • El Ferrocarril Urbano de la Villa de Mayagüez See also: Rail transport in Puerto Rico

v t e Currently operating heavy rail rapid transit systems in the United States Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Blue, Orange, and Red Lines) MTA (New York City Subway and Staten Island Railway) Port Authority Trans-Hudson Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Market–Frankford, Norristown High Speed Line, and Broad Street lines) PATCO Speedline Baltimore Metro Subway Washington Metro Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Miami Metrorail San Juan Tren Urbano Cleveland Red Line Chicago 'L' Bay Area Rapid Transit Los Angeles Metro Rail (Red and Purple Lines)

Coordinates: 18°23′26″N 66°06′22″W / 18.39055°N 66.10618°W / 18.39055; -66.10618

Draco Cornelius Rosa Suárez (born June 27, 1970), also known as Robi Draco Rosa, Robby Rosa, Draco Rosa or simply Draco, is a Puerto Rican Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award winning musician, dancer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor.

Born as Robert Edward Rosa Suárez on Long Island, New York and raised in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico and Ponce, Puerto Rico, he originally garnered fame as a member of boy band Menudo in the 1980s. In recent years, he has appeared on VH1's Behind the Music, I Love the '80s and Where Are They Now? in archived footage of early concerts and videos. He has released four concept albums, consisting of "Vagabundo", "Mad Love", "Vino" and "Amor Vincit Omnia". He studied on 9th grade on Colegio San Conrado and graduated from Academia Santa Maria, both in Ponce.

Biography[link]

Menudo Years (1984-1987)[link]

Rosa's early interest in music led him to audition for the Latin pop boy band, Menudo, where he replaced Johnny Lozada in 1984 and quickly became a fan favorite. He was the second band member to join the singing group who was not a native of Puerto Rico (Miguel Cancel was born in Illinois). He was also the first member who spoke English fluently, having been born in New York. With the group's cross-over to English, his timing in joining Menudo was perfect, as he was able to sing most of the English songs. The group's first English album Reaching Out, featured a single which was in the Hollywood film Cannonball Run 2, "Like A Cannonball." Rosa sang the single.

On his second album with the group, he sang his first Spanish-language single hit, "Sabes A Chocolate" ("You taste like chocolate"). His third album with Menudo featured another English hit with "Hold Me", which gained airplay on most mainstream radio stations and had a music video that gained play. In 1987, he was replaced in Menudo by Rubén Gómez after the band's manager denied Rosa the opportunity to contribute songs to the group. Rosa was also 17 years old when he quit, 1 year over the age limit set by management.

Other work[link]

Rosa has been highly influenced by the works of Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Iggy Pop, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Luis Alberto Spinetta, The Doors, Camarón de la Isla, Caetano Veloso and Glenn Danzig. In 1996 he released the Latino alternative rock CD Vagabundo produced by Phil Manzanera.

He helped launch Ricky Martin's musical career into a new global setting by writing and producing some of his hottest singles including "Livin' la Vida Loca" and "She Bangs". Rosa toured with Lenny Kravitz during the summer of 2004 to promote his 2nd (all English) concept album Mad Love.^{[citation needed]}

In 1988 he starred in his only Motion Picture role in the movie "Salsa: The Motion Picture" which was a big hit in Puerto Rico, and made $8,892,589 and is still a popular movie today.

His 2008 album Vino is filled with Dark Ambient electronica and Alternative Rock melodrama.

His 2009 album Amor Vincit Omnia was nominated for Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album for the 53rd Grammy Awards.^[1]

New musical project and stage comeback (2011- )[link]

On December 2011, it was announced that Rosa was working on a new musical project involving other artists, an album of duet songs. Alejandro Sanz publicly announced through Twitter his collaboration with Tommy Torres and other artists on a new CD produced by Phantom Vox and Draco himself. The new musical project consists of an all-star album in which artists, chosen by Draco Rosa, will sing duets with him of some of his confirmed famous hits like Vagabundo, Cruzando Puertas and Penélope. Angelo Medina, producer, manager and close personal friend of Draco's confirmed this to the local press. Juan Luis Guerra, Rubén Blades and Enrique Bunbury also confirmed to participate.^[2] At the time, other artists rumored to participate included Ricky Martin, Juanes and Calle 13.^[3] On March 12, 2012, it was confirmed that Blades will cover El Tiempo Va and Guerra will cover Esto Es Vida, both songs from Draco's 2009 album Amor Vincit Omnia.^[4]

On May 11, 2012, the full set of collaborations was released to the press. So far, this is not the official order of the tracklist.^[5]

The new musical project marks the first time Ricky Martin and Draco collaborated together after nearly 12 since Martin's Sound Loaded.

On January 28, 2012, it was confirmed that Draco would make a comeback, after his long absence due to cancer treatment, with a concert sharing the stage with Juan Luis Guerra and Rubén Blades. The concert will take place on March 30, 2012 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. Last time the three collaborated was nearly ten years before in the Banco Popular Christmas special Encuentro in 2002.^[6] Angelo Medina, producer of the event, announced on February 24, 2012, that the concert was quickly sold-out and a second concert was added for March 31.^[7]

Both concerts premiered two of the multiple the collaborations planned for Draco's next album. Guerra joined Draco in Esto Es Vida and then Blades with El Tiempo Va alongside Draco. Both shows were such big hits that it is rumored two concerts will be programmed to take place in Dominican Republic and Panama, home places of Juan Luis Guerra and Rubén Blades respectively.

Personal life[link]

Rosa currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife Angela Alvarado and two sons, Revel Angel and Redamo. He owns a recording studio, an independent music label and a multimedia company under the name of Phantom Vox and a private hacienda in Utuado, Puerto Rico under the name Hacienda Horizonte, where he has shot two music videos of his Amor Vincit Omnia album: Hay Que Llegar (Paraíso Prometido), and Reza Por Mí.

On April 25, 2011, Rosa was diagnosed with stomach cancer: a non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his lower abdomen, near his liver.^[8]

Legacy[link]

Rosa has also contributed towards the improvement of artistic and cultural life in Puerto Rico, sponsoring the Museum of Art and Museum of Contemporary Art, and setting up an annual scholarship for outstanding students at the Music Conservatory.

Discography[link]

Maggie's Dream[link]

• Maggie's Dream (1990)

Robi Draco Rosa[link]

Studio Albums[link]

• Frio (1994)
• Vagabundo (1996 Concept Album)
• Mad Love (2004 Concept Album)
• Y El Teatro Del Absurdo (2007 Album)
• Vino (2008 Concept Album)
• Amor Vincit Omnia (2009 Album)

Compilation Albums[link]

• Libertad Del Alma (2001 Compilation)
• Como Me Acuerdo (2004 Compilation)
• Untitled compilation album (2012 Duets album)

Live Albums[link]

• Draco al Natural (2005 Live Album)
• Teatro (2008 Live Album)
• La Pena Negra (2011 Live Album)

Other Albums[link]

• Songbirds & Roosters (1998 English Versions from Frio and Vagabundo)
• Padre Mío (2008 Single)
• Ensayos al Natural (2009 Outtakes)

See also[link]

	Puerto Rico portal
	Biography portal
	Latin American music portal

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

References[link]

External links[link]

• Phantom Vox
• MySpace
• Facebook
• Twitter
• IMDb profile