Data Insights: LatAm's growing metro networks

Metro systems in Latin America are poised to keep growing as cities are engaging in efforts to reduce traffic jams.

Over 516km of metro lines are expected to begin operations by 2035, according to BNamericas' project database.

BRAZIL

Brazil is leading the region in terms of construction, with 211km expected to be finished over the next decade and 121km currently under construction.

São Paulo state is planning to offer more concession and PPP contracts to expand its metro and urban trains in the coming months. 

A US$1.43bn extension of São Paulo city’s line No.2-green and of Fortaleza’s East line, involving US$1.38bn, are underway while the former’s US$3.84bn line No.16-violet and line No. 20-pink for US$6.48bn are in earlier stages.

MEXICO

Over the next 10 years, 70.6km are expected to start operations in Mexico, with 48.6km currently under construction.

Both cities are planning expansions, but safety issues still loom large after the 2021 collapse of an elevated section of line No. 12 in the capital killed 27 passengers.

The biggest projects are the US$854mn modernization of Mexico City’s line No. 1 and the new US$836mn line No. 6 for Monterrey. Meanwhile, Monterrey’s US$596mn line No. 5 is in early stages.

CHILE

Construction of Santiago's US$2.58bn line No. 7 is underway, as is the US$197mn extension of line No. 6.

With these works, 29km are under construction, while the new US$1.8bn line No. 8 and line No. 9 (US$1.95bn) are in the environmental evaluation phase, with construction expected to start in 2025 and 2026, adding 79km of new lines.

ARGENTINA

Buenos Aires' metro operator Sbase (Subte) hasn’t been as affected by President Javier Milei's budget cuts as other service providers because funding comes mainly from the city government, which is less dependent on federal funds than other administrations.

Although no new lines or extensions are under construction, the city said it maintains efforts to build US$2bn line F.

PERU

Lima's US$5.35bn line No. 2 is expected to be finished in 2028, adding 35km to the system. The US$9.17bn line No. 3 is in early stages.

COLOMBIA

Bogotá’s first metro line, involving US$4.77bn, is advancing despite delays and tensions between the city and President Gustavo Petro, who had pushed for an underground line during his time as the capital’s mayor and later when he became head of state. But current works consider an elevated viaduct.

Colombia is expected to add 39.5km of metro lines by 2035, which include Bogota’s line No. 1 and line No. 2 (US$8.86bn), the latter being in the tender stage.

ECUADOR

Quito operates the country's only metro line and a US$500mn project to add 5.4km is in early stages.

PANAMA

Some 26.5km are under construction, involving US$3.19bn line No. 3 in Panama City and the expansion of line No. 1 (US$230mn). Works on both are expected to finish in 2026. 

The only other project in the pipeline is line No. 5 in the capital and is in early stages.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Line No. 2C (US$519mn) of Santo Domingo’s metro is expected to start operations this year and work on a US$187mn extension of line No. 1 began in March. The two will add 9.6km to the system.