Financial problems keeping Lima urban train grounded

The urban train system serving Lima has remained suspended for more than 60 days, surpassing the city government's estimates, and with no resumption in sight, according to local paper Expreso. The suspension came about due to a financial problem that the train's authority (Autoridad Autonoma del Tren Electrico) assured was temporary, while it looked to cover rising insurance and operating costs. The authority's president Alberto Sanchez said on July 1 that he was hammering out an agreement with the national economic & finance ministry for 6mn soles (US$1.71mn) to pay for insurance and get the train running again within 60 days. However, neither the authority nor the ministry have given word on the negotiation's progress. There is concern that the train system's infrastructure will deteriorate from disuse and lack of maintenance. Between January and June this year, the system carried 1 million passengers.