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Esta página no está disponible en español. Associated Press Newswires Puerto Rico Aides: Urban Train May Open Soon; US Disagrees By REBECCA BANUCHI November 4, 2004 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - The long-delayed construction of a commuter train will be done soon, possibly allowing trains to be running before Puerto Rico's new governor takes office in January, officials said. The first of its kind in the Caribbean, San Juan's Urban Train is supposed to decongest highways and provide speedy transport to a crowded metropolitan area of more than 1 million people. Transportation Secretary Fernando Fagundo said he would open the train immediately if he could, but the decision to inaugurate it is in the hands of the U.S. Federal Transportation Administration. "It would not be fair to leave this project incomplete for the new administration," Fagundo was quoted as saying in El Nuevo Dia newspaper's Thursday edition. Previously, outgoing Gov. Sila Calderon said the train would open before elections on Tuesday. Federal Transportation Administration spokesman Paul Griffo said the Urban Train isn't ready and many problems need to be fixed before it opens to the public. Fagundo said he will travel to Washington D.C. next week to inform federal officials that the train is almost ready, except for some minor glitches that don't represent a danger to passengers. Last month, however, the U.S. Transportation Department issued a report saying the Urban Train project presented certain risks because of poor performance on trial runs, financial instability and noncompliance with some federal requirements. The report signaled 70 areas of concern or failures that need to be corrected before federal officials inaugurate the train, which will cost $1.50 a ride. Project officials say many of the problems have already been fixed. A new governor will be inaugurated in the U.S. Caribbean territory on Jan. 2. Puerto Rico has long been without a working train. In the early 1900s, there were trains and trolleys, but tracks eventually disappeared under expanding pavement. Puerto Rico has long been without a working train. In the early 1900s, there were trains and trolleys, but tracks eventually disappeared under expanding pavement. It wasn't until the early 1990s that planners decided a new train could ease traffic on the island of 4 million people. Construction began in 1996 under former governor Pedro Rossello and continued under Calderon, who took over in 2001. The price tag has nearly doubled from US$1.2 billion to US$2.3 billion, with the U.S. government paying 40 percent. The rising costs are due in part to radical design changes, including the addition of more stations and a switch from light rail to a heavier train.
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