Amid improvements and the potential expansion of Tren Urbano, public transportation systems in Puerto Rico have generated a lot of discussion. Experts and residents agree that extending the train to other municipalities will require additional regional or municipal transit options for there to be a meaningful impact on quality of life.
Did you know that other collective transit systems are in development or have recently launched? Read on to find out and see whether any of them could work for you.
North area
1. Vega Baja and Vega Alta
This month, Vega Baja and Vega Alta signed an agreement to expand and connect public transit routes between the two municipalities. The project will make it easier for residents to get around and improve their access to services and opportunities.
Through the Programa de Movilidad Ciudadana, Vega Baja has six routes, which will now connect with Vega Alta's routes to broaden the collective transit network in the area.
The program was funded with grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which provides financial and technical assistance to local transit systems. For more information on Movilidad Ciudadana routes and schedules, call (787) 807-4737 for Vega Baja, or (787) 883-5900 ext. 2502 for the Oficinas de Transporte Colectivo in Vega Alta.
2. Camuy
In 2022, the municipality of Camuy launched the Camuy Transportation System, a free collective transit system with five routes and 96 stops.
The system was funded with a $7.5 million investment from the FTA, covering operations, payroll, preventive maintenance, repairs, vehicle acquisition, transportation studies, and more.
According to the municipal administration, each route has between 16 and 23 stops and can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
East area
3. Fajardo
In July, the municipality of Fajardo will launch a collective public transit system, funded by the FTA and based on a transportation study conducted in April 2023.
Although it includes 5 routes, this summer it will start with only 2 of them, called "Ruta Centros Comerciales" and "Ruta Puerto Real." It will also be supported by a Trolley route that was already running in Fajardo and will continue operating as before.
The three routes will run from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. According to a municipal bulletin, each route has an approximate wait time of one hour.
To find the stops for each route, you can check here, or contact the Oficina de Transportación y Terminal de Transporte Público at (787) 436-0376 or (787) 860-1820.
4. Luquillo
Last summer, the municipality of Luquillo announced it would be testing a pilot collective transit project. The system would start with two buses running a single route, with an emphasis on effectively transporting people with disabilities and residents over 65, who make up a significant share of the population, according to the municipality's mayor, Gerardo Márquez.
The plan calls for nine units equipped to transport people with disabilities. It is also expected to improve the experience of visitors to the town as an alternative means of transportation. Its total cost is estimated at $6 million, to be obtained through state and federal funds, including from the FTA.
West area
5. Cabo Rojo
In April, a free collective transit system launched in Cabo Rojo. The service, provided by private company Sonell Transit Service, covers seven routes with 108 stops.
The service contract will be funded with FTA money, at a cost of $2.7 million.
Each bus holds 16 passengers, with two spaces available for wheelchairs and easy-access ramps.
The routes, which cover medical offices, shopping centers and the historic downtown, will run from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To find the stops for each route, you can check this link.
Metro area
6. Bayamón
Last month, a new free collective transportation system launched as a pilot project in Bayamón. The BayaRide has three routes connecting the municipality's rural areas with its urban center, at the Terminal Multimodal.
From there, it connects with the Tren Urbano, AMA routes and the existing BayaTrolley service, linking key points in Bayamón such as hospitals, government offices and shopping centers, among others.
Six buses will cover the routes, each with seating for 14 passengers, standing room and space for wheelchair users, along with easy-access ramps. Each route will have three departures, at 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. All buses will travel from the rural areas to the Terminal Multimodal, in the historic downtown, and return from there.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
