Light Rail Transit for the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM)

Emissions from Costa Rica’s transport sector, contributing to 51 percent of the national total in 2015, is projected to increase by 44 percent by 2050 without mitigation measures. While Costa Ricans’ use of private cars and ride hailing services has been increasing, investment is required to reduce inefficiencies in the country’s public transport system. 

This project aims to install an 85 km double-track, electric light rail transit system in San José’s Greater Metropolitan Area which will be powered by more than 98 percent renewable electricity. Providing a strong financing and construction role to the private sector, the initiative is intended to encourage behavioural change towards an uptake in the use of public transport with non-motorised transport and transit-oriented development solutions. Bus routes will be altered to provide convenient connections to the light rail system.