Getting Around Puerto Rico​

Ever heard of Puerto Rico’s train system? It’s called Tren Urbano and is the Caribbean’s first rapid transit system, which officially opened on December 17, 2004. Spanning 10.7 miles (17.2 km) and connecting 16 stations along its route, this ‘Urban Train’ serves the areas of San Juan, Guaynabo, and Bayamón. In 2023, it carried a whopping 2,738,100 passengers, with an average of about 10,200 riders each weekday in the fourth quarter. It’s managed by the Integrated Transit Authority (ATI) and operated by Alternate Concepts, Inc. (ACI).

You can use it to get from the city center to the main medical facility at Centro Médico, the University, and the Deportivo at Bayamón, as well as outlying towns like Sagrado Corazón, and the Hato Rey financial district. If you are going to a concert, the train is an easy way to access El Choliseo, aka “El Choli”.

Tren Urbano is designed to complement other transportation options in the San Juan metropolitan area. It supplements the Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA), the Cataño Ferry, taxis, and shuttles managed by the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP). There are also 30 bus routes (buses are called “guaguas” in Puerto Rico) covering places like Toa Baja, Cataño, Bayamón, Guaynabo, San Juan, and Carolina.

Even though this integrated approach gives residents and visitors various ways to travel in and around the city, this system is not finished yet. Only one of its four planned phases is done. Plans to connect important places like the International Airport and Old San Juan haven’t happened yet due to problems like a money crisis in 2006 and increased costs. In the end, extension plans were abandoned in 2012.

This system also faces several challenges for users, such as not reaching enough destinations. Additionally, it lacks enough weekend bus service, has infrequent bus schedules, and there aren’t enough shops or activities near the stations. While efforts are underway to address some of these issues, others are still overlooked or require innovative solutions.

Beginning March 1st, several services including Tren Urbano, Metrobús, Tu Conexión, Metro Urbano, and the AMA are offering free rides for up to six months. This initiative, facilitated by ATI, aims to update ticketing and access systems in public transportation services. It’s a great opportunity for both locals and tourists to explore nearby areas using these free rides. Last month in San Juan, after a week of free rides, the Director of Puerto Rico’s ATI said there was a 26% increase in people using public transit. This shows that when it’s easier to use public transport than drive, more people choose it. The same thing happens during big events like the Calle San Sebastian Festivities and activities at the “Choli”, boosting the number of people riding the Tren Urbano in San Juan.

Recently, the ATI proposed an extension of the Tren Urbano to northwest San Juan. It could stop at places like Minillas, Miramar, and Old San Juan. The goal is to link high-capacity transport modes, like light rail or fast buses. A study conducted by Nelson\Nygaard lists four possible areas for the extension from Sagrado Corazón to Minillas, Minillas to Miramar or the Convention Center, and from there to Old San Juan. Community input is crucial for the study, which should be finished by early 2025.

• Train and Bus Fees
  Bus rides cost 75¢ each, and a trip on the Tren Urbano is $1.50, but there are discounts for seniors, students, and others. You can buy transit passes at any Tren Urbano station, which includes options like paying for one ride, a day pass, a week pass, or a month pass with unlimited rides. Also, you can switch between trains and buses for free within two hours.
• Hours of Operation 
  Weekday bus services operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., with slightly adjusted hours on Saturdays and holidays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Metrobus routes (I and II, and Express) operate daily from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.